Corruption: An Impediment to Our Development
Corruption can be defined as an act of dishonesty or the use of a position of power or trust for dishonest gains. Corruption is a widespread phenomenon in the country. India figures as the seventh according to Transparency STOP most corrupt country in the world International, a German non-governmental organisation. Misuse of public property or public r money, fraudulently acquiring assets and resources, abusing one’s duty or avoiding payment of taxes are of publics of corruption commonly seen and heard-of in the society.
Initially regarded as an incumbent product of public offices, corruption now breeds in every stratum of society. From government departments and offices to corporates to institutions like schools and colleges—corruption dwells everywhere. From the traditional bribery and nepotism, corruption comes in other forms like donations in education institutions, hoarding and black marketing by traders.
The famous Satyam Scam of manipulated and falsified accounts is a blatant example of corporate corruption. Thus, corruption is not confined to a particular sector but pervades the entire society. Corruption in India leads to promotion, not prison, it has wings, not wheels. As the nation grows, the corrupt also grow to invent new methods of cheating the government and public.
Indian administration is tainted with scandals. Years of public silence and tolerance only emboldened the perpetrators and gave rise to malicious practice. The last few years have seen the unveiling of some of the greatest scams and scandals like the ZG scam, Bofors scam, faulty DLF land deal, etc. The endless list of cases involving several millions of rupees put the entire nation to shame.
Corruption in India has become an endemic of epic scale. Its causes are many and complex. The emergence of the political elite with no obligation of public accountability is one of the greatest reasons that allow this malpractice to flourish. Complex laws and procedures too, deter the ‘big sharks’ (culprits) from being caught. The vast size of population, widespread illiteracy and poverty and the complete lack of public outcry against any wrong-doing, further complicate the process of developing an honest and transparent society.
It is the moral obligation of every Indian including those in power to make efforts to weed out this cancer of corruption from the nation.
At this stage, what we need are simple and transparent laws, a quick and honest investigation process and an equally quick judicial process. Electoral reforms like denying persons with criminal records a chance to contest the election, making political parties get their accounts audited regularly, etc., should be brought in.
However, some welcome steps have come in recently like the Right to Information Act and the granting of extra powers to the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Vigilance Department to tackle this menace.
The role of media in highlighting corruption needs to be praised, but still, a lot more needs to be done, especially to nab the officials at the higher levels and the corporate scamsters.
Corruption has a corrosive impact on our economy and society. It worsens our image in the international market and leads to loss of overseas opportunities. Therefore, we must all pledge to drive out corruption from our society to ensure a better and brighter present and future for our beloved nation.
