Corruption thrives in our system

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 The Poineer: Kunal Saha
There can be no argument that the single most important factor halting India’s progress is the pervasive corruption in the country, especially in the public sector. Despite impressive showing in overall economy and trade in the recent times, India is still considered as one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

Petty corrupt practices like a police constable demanding bribe from a traffic violator are unmistakable on the street. But the abundance of corruption that truly impedes development of a nation is rooted to a much deeper level. Reports of brazen corruption by high ranking officials in almost every important division of public services, including the judiciary, have hit the headlines.

Recently while suggesting that the hunt for the corrupt had so far bypassed the top, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged the CBI to go after the “big fish”. Even Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan recently called for seizure of the assets of public officials convicted in corruption cases. There are more reasons than one for the unabated growth of corruption in India. As the CJI has indicated, inordinate delay to prosecute the corrupt individuals plays a vital role in the proliferation of corruption. Even the corruption cases charged by the CBI are routinely kept pending for months before a trial could actually begin. The decision of the CBI court can then be appealed which may further linger for years in the higher court.

The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court has recently calculated that it could take another 466 years to clear the backlog of cases. This absurd number underscores a critical reason for failure to curb corruption in India.

The confiscation of the property of unscrupulous officials convicted for corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as suggested by the CJI, may prove to be effective. However, public servants, who have accumulated colossal amount of wealth through corrupt practices while in the office, should receive exemplary punishment that must also include significant time in jail as it is unlikely that they would save illicit wealth in their own names.

The purpose of any punishment by the judicial system must include its role as a deterrent for similar crimes in the future. While the call from the CJI for more stringent action against corruption is laudable, a complete overhaul of the entire judicial as well as political system are essential to bring down the stiffly climbing graph of corruption in India. Without an expeditious justice delivery system, the problem of corruption cannot be removed from India.

focused on corruption in Govt Only?
By Amoghavarsha.ii on 9/22/2009 3:57:47 PM
Dear sir, Have any of the press written about corruption in private sectors. In most private organisations you do not get an order if you don't agree for a cut or comission before hand with the purchase officer. Please check in private banks also. If u don't pay comission your loan is bound not released. Go to temples - pay extra 50Rs, u get few more minutes to see the god. OK did u get the point. Write about that area which is the largest and also unfocussed.

Leaders must inspire their followers by their actions and not just high sermons
By Rahul on 9/22/2009 2:17:51 PM
It is ironic that more corrupt a society is, more pious are the sermons coming out of its leadership. There is a saying that 'When CHARACTER is lost everything is lost'. We as a society have to guard against this ultimate degradation. Sixty two years of so called political freedom has put us in a greater bondage of corruption and poverty than a thousand years of our existence as slaves. Do something honorable leaders, lead from the front.
Corruption thrives in our system
Incredible corrupt India