Corruption Makes Rich Richer, Poor More Poor

Corruption, the hydra headed monster, continues to eat into the vitals of the Indian economy helping the rich and influential to become richer while pushing the poor and the marginalized deeper into poverty and destitution. Notwithstanding the histrionics of Anne Hazare and his ink and the government’s ranting of fighting corruption the Monster continues to grow and flourish.

A recent Forbes report rated India as the most corrupt country in the Asia-Pacific region. It was rated higher than countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. For India, which is looking for massive economic development in the years ahead, corruption acts as a massive deterrent for many foreign investors

Governments have come and gone. All have made the customary promises of fighting corruption and providing the country a corruption free administration The tentacles of the corrupt continue to spread to engulf all walks of life and almost all sections of the population. The promise of the present government, headed by a man with a 56 inch chest to rid the country of corruption and fight the corrupt has turned into a false dream for millions across the country. Addressing the nation on the 71th Independence Day Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, promised a new India which will be free of corruption where citizens and business will not have to pay bribes to get their work done.

Recently one of the leading lights of the present government admitted that it is not easy to fight corruption. There cannot be a more truthful statement on the face of it. The fact remains that corruption is what breeds politics and supports politicians and helps bureaucrats to live a life of luxury, almost Maharaja style. Corruption has been institutionalized into the system with such deep roots that no political party can survive and hope to gain power.

To bring before the people the actual truth about the growing influence of corruption Transparency International India and LocalCircles recently conducted an online survey in 13 states to ascertain citizen experiences with corruption and bribery in the last 12 months.  It was also to ascertain the level of corruption in the country and check the citizen pulse on it. Over 160,000 response were received from over 50,000 unique citizens across the country. Through this survey an attempt has been made to gather opinions on the recent changes in the anti-corruption law.

According to the Survey the three states which are reported to be less corrupt at Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat. The three most corrupt states identified are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. The three most corrupt departments identified are Property Registration and Land Issues ( 30 percent), Police ( 25 percent) and Municipal Corporations ( 18 percent).

The  Survey reveals that 56 percent of those who took the survey said that they had paid bribes to get their work done against 48 percent the year before. About 30 percent said they were not required to pay bribes at all. The survey has indicated that 27 percent paid bribes several times while 29 paid once or twice. Cash was the common mode of payment with 39 percent paying through this medium while 25 percent paid through agents and one percent in kind.

Bribes were paid largely to get work done and because they were coerced to do so. Greasing palms also helped to speed up work and get quicker results.  Many respondents said that not paying a bribe resulted in the victimization of the marginalized sections of the population.

A substantial number of respondents were not aware of the efforts and avenues available to fight corruption. Only 9 percent said that they were aware of the anti corruption hotline in their state or city. An overwhelming number, 91 percent, said that their state or city did not have an anti-corruption hotline. Almost 82 percent of the respondents were positive that the governments had not taken effective steps to  stop corruption.

The survey brings out in stark reality that governments’ steps to stop corruption had not been successful. Government laws against corruption, like the recently passed law banning corruption punishable with 7 years in prison, a fine or both were not a sufficient deterrent. Around 63 percent also feel that the new amended law will increase the victimization of people by the public officials because they feel that the law will become a tool in the hands of the officials to harass even those who are honest.

A majority of the respondents were not in favour of the rule which requires prior permission of the authorities to launch investigations against corrupt officers. As many as 49 percent that the rule would lead to an increase in cases of bribery and corruption as it will make it all the more difficult to prosecute corrupt officials quickly.

Though corruption is a known fact in the country the results of the survey are an eye opener. It has brought out the glaring consequences of increasing levels of corruption. It has revealed the shocking truth that 23 percent of the respondents were willing to pay a bribe to get their work done even though they were aware that giving a bribe invited a 7 year jail term. Most respondents said that the new anti-corruption law will not have much effect. It was widely recognized that these Acts in fact gave more support to the corrupt to indulge in acts of corruption.

For a country which aspires to become a world leader the fact that corruption continues to thrive is a matter of grave concern. Corruption acts as a strong deterrent to investment, restricts trade, reduces economic growth and distorts facts and figures associated with government expenditure. Most alarmingly, the survey report says corruption affects the daily lives of the common man. It says that there is a direct correlation of the levels of corruption with real levels of poverty and income inequalities.

Transparency International India (TII) is a leading non-political, independent, non-governmental anti-corruption organization of India. TII has extensive expertise and understanding of issues of corruption in India. It aims to reduce corruption, bribery, create a deterrence for the abuse of power, provide good governance and the rule of law. It provides a voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption.( www.transparencyindia.com)

Local Circles takes social media to the next level ands makes it about                       community and governance. It enables citizens to connect with communities for most aspects of urban life like neighbourhood, constituency,city governance, causes, interests and needs. It works for an improvement of urban life.(localcircles.com)