Corruption: A Menace In India!

One of the major mandate of Modi government was to fight corruption and so far it has been successful in putting a break to a series of scams which started under ten year UPA rule. However, corruption in India continues to be a burning issue especially at the interface which common man has to face. From Medical Council Of India toRegional Transport Offices, all have been in news for corruption. India ranked 9th oncrony capitalism index for 2015. Apart from it, theAgusta Westland bribery issue brought back the issue of corruption back into public discourse. Additionally, the leak of Panama Papers highlighted how Indians are stashing black money in offshore accounts.However, the good news is that India’s crony wealth reduced to 3% of GDP from 19% in 2014!

Corruption not only has become a pervasive aspect of Indian politics but also has become an increasingly important factor in Indian elections. The extensive role of the Indian state in providing services and promoting economic development has always created the opportunity for using public resources for private benefit.

If we want to cut down on corruption, we will have to start working more seriously on reducing the huge chasm between the rich and the poor

This happens in many ways, both among the rich and the poor. For instance, in a country where, say, ₹10,000 is nothing for the rich, it is easy for the rich to offer a bribe of that sum. But if, in the same country, ₹10,000 is what a poor man may earn in an entire month, it is difficult for him to refuse a bribe of that sum. This leads to the gradual erosion of morality and ethics on both sides: some find it easy to spend money to get things done, others find it difficult to refuse to accept that money. On both sides, there builds up a disrespect for the system and for each other. The system itself is seen as thoroughly corrupt because of such individual acts of corruption.

Corruption is like a canker to the health of the economic and technological prosperity of a nation. Corruption became rampant with the winning of freedom. Owing to the

fallible democratic system and lack of stringent punishment mechanism for the
culprits, it thrived, more in politics, government administration departments. Gradually
its nexus became more nefarious. Corruption in India spread as a result of the
connection between bureaucrats, politicians and criminals.

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. In the past few decades there was every conceivable scam
and scandals in all key ministries. These cams and scandals tarnished the image
of the country nationally as well as internationally. There were so many scams
that people lost complete trust in the government.Indian Coal Allocation
Scam, 2G Spectrum Scam, Commonwealth Games Scam, Telgi Scam, Satyam Scam,
Bofors Scam, the Fodder Scam, etc, are some of the many scams that were done by
elected ministers, politicians, bureaucrats, and high government officials. The
Indian Law system is so incompetent and vulnerable, that in most of the scams,
no politician, bureaucrat, high government officials were punished.

The people must play a more proactive role in curbing corruption. The corruption has grown tosuch a big problem only, because we, the people have condoned these scams and scandals. If the people of India had protested against these scams initially,

and demanded explanation from the government, these scandals would have been
nipped in the bud. However, they did not take it seriously. Now, the time has
come when they must unite against this evil, and launch a campaign to make
India corruption free.

Of late owing to the growing awareness and protests by the people, the
central Government has been taking some steps to curb corruption. Some
anti-corruption agencies have been set up. Agencies such as RTI, the Central
Vigilance Commission, and PIO have been created. The people, along with their
unified protest, must use these agencies to curb corruption.

The media can play a great role in curbing corruption. The concerted efforts of the people of India, anti-corruption departments, and media have the power to root out this

evil from India. One thing is crystal clear; unless people pledge to eradicate
corruption themselves, this evil will continue to exist.