[dropcap]N[/dropcap]o less than Governor of Nagaland and Manipur, Dr Ashwani Kumar as well as our very own Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have targeted not only the menace of corruption but basically the scourge of it as well.. Who likes corruption? Technically and practically no one. But many cannot survive without it. Whether we like it or not, all luxury corrupts either the morals or the State.
Corruption in the Indian society has prevailed from time immemorial in one form or the other. The basic inception of corruption started with our opportunistic leaders who have already done greater damage to our nation. People who work on right principles are unrecognized and considered to be foolish in the modern society.Corruption in India is a result of the connection between bureaucrats, politicians and criminals. Earlier, bribes were paid for getting wrong things done, but now bribe is paid for getting right things done at right time. Further, corruption has become something respectable in India, because respectable people are involved in it. Social corruption like less weighing of products, adulteration in edible items, and bribery of various kinds have incessantly prevailed in the society.
In today’s scenario, if a person wants a government job he has to pay lakhs of rupees to the higher officials irrespective of satisfying all the eligibility criteria. In every office one has either to give money to the employee concerned or arrange for some sources to get work done. There is adulteration and duplicate weighing of products in food and civil supplies department by unscrupulous workers who cheat the consumers by playing with the health and lives of the people. In the assessment of property tax the officers charge money even if the house is built properly according to the Government rules and regulations.
Political corruption is worst in India. The major cause of concern is that corruption is weakening the political body and damaging the supreme importance of the law governing the society. Nowadays, politics is only for criminals and criminals are meant to be in politics. Elections in many parts of the country have become associated with a host of criminal activities. Threatening voters to vote for a particular candidate or physically prevent voters from going in to the polling booth—especially weaker sections of the society like tribals, Dalits and rural woman occurs frequently in several parts of the country.
Recently, the Government increased the salary of the MPs from Rs.16, 000 to Rs.50, 000, that is 300% increase to the existing salary. But many of them are unhappy with the raise and want the Government to increase the salary to a much more extent. This clearly shows how the politicians are in constant thirst for monetary benefits and not caring about the welfare of the people. Tax evasion is one of the most popular forms of corruption. It is mostly practiced by Government officials and politicians who lead to the accumulation of black money which in turn spoils the moral of the people.
The major Factors responsible for corruption include several factors. The most important factor is the nature of the human being. People in general, have a great thirst for luxuries and comforts and as a result of which they get themselves involved in all unscrupulous activities that result in monetary or material benefits.
This is followed by the moral and spiritual values that are not given utmost importance in educational system, which is highly responsible for the deterioration of the society. Another cause is that the salary paid to employees is very less and as a result of which they are forced to earn money by illegal ways.
Corruption at all levels is encouraged because the punishments imposed on the criminals are inadequate. Without implying on any individual or political party or any NGO, it is a fact that the political leaders have spoiled the society completely. They lead a luxurious life and do not even care about the society. People of India are not awakened and enlightened. They fear to raise their voice against anti-social elements prevailing in the society.
So how do we control or check this scourge of corruption? What measures do we have to employ? Perhaps it is not so easy. However, there are some specific measures to control increasing corruption. We can start by making the best use legally of the Right to Information Act (RTI) which gives one all the required information about the Government, such as what the Government is doing with our tax payment—maybe perhaps not applicable in Nagaland?
Nevertheless, under this Act, one has the right to ask the Government on any problem which one faces. There is a Public Information Officer (PIO) appointed in every Government department, who is responsible for collecting information wanted by the citizens and providing them with the relevant information on payment of a nominal fee to the PIO. If the PIO refuses to accept the application or if the applicant does not receive the required information on time then the applicant can make a complaint to the respective information commission, which has the power to impose a penalty up to Rs.25, 000 on the errant PIO.
Another potent check on corruption is Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). It was set up by the Government to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the areas of vigilance. If there are any cases of corruption or any complaints thereof, then that can be reported to the CVC. CVC also shoulders the responsibility of creating more awareness among people regarding the consequences of giving and taking of bribes and corruption.
This necessitates the establishment of special courts for speedy justice and which can be a huge positive aspect. Much time should not elapse between the registration of a case and the delivery of judgment. Thus, strong and stringent laws need to be enacted which gives no room for the guilty to escape.
What must be taken into account, however, is that in many cases, the employees opt for corrupt means out of compulsion for family welfare, children’s schools/colleges fees, their uniforms and pocket money et al and these are not by choice. Some people are of the opinion that the wages paid are insufficient to feed their families. If they are paid better, they would not be forced to accept bribe.
The one thing that needs to be ensured is proper, impartial, and unbiased use of various anti-social regulations to take strong, deterrent, and timely legal action against the offenders, irrespective of their political influences or money power. Firm and strong steps are needed to curb the menace and an atmosphere has to created where the good, patriotic, intellectuals come forward to serve the country with pride, virtue, and honesty for the welfare of the people not only of India, or that matter, Nagaland, but the world.
Above all, one can try and excuse oneself on the basis of personal compulsion. Understandable. However, beyond that is the overall factor of being free of corruption spiritually. So, not only HIV/AIDS but corruption is also a scourge but which needs moral strength.
Are we up to it?
