The cancer of graft and corruption, a deep-rooted menace, has been perpetually infecting the private as well as public life in India. Corruption in our life is so rampant in all the spheres that it has assumed the authority of almost a parallel state.
It has cankered into the very vitals of India society, distorted all values, and made mincemeat of truth, virtue and morality It has grown to such gigantic proportions that there is hardly any sphere of social, political, economic and even religious activity that is free from dismal touch of graft, deception, trickery, treachery and corruption of some kind.
Corruption has become all-pervasive and entered every aspect of life to such an extent that it is now regarded as a fact of life and evil we have to live with. The corrupt officials and corrupt politicians are neither despised nor deemed to be embarrassed. They are rather feared and respected. As a matter of fact, honesty has become a rarity.
The growth of corruption is due to
People cannot get their work done without offering a bribe to the officers concerned. Even the shrines of worship are not free from this stigma. Our politicians and legislatures indulge in corrupt practices without any qualm of conscience No member of Parliament or assembly is poor today.
All ministers, MPs or MLAs have amassed wealth in cash or kind. The property of politicians is by and large quite disproportionate to their known sources of income. It would be an injustice to some people like Pt. Pant, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atalji if we make a sweeping generalization about the involvement of politicians in scams and scandals.
Eyebrows have been raised on the involvement of Rajiv Gandhi in Bofors scandal and that of P.V. Narasimha Rao in the Hawala Scandal, Jharkhand MPs. Scandal, etc. Even the name of Rao’s son figures in Urea Scam. The involvement of big-wigs in scams and scandal has encouraged everyone from top to bottom in the administration indulge in corrupt practices.
Red-tapism, nepotism and corruption generating devices are flourishing unchecked. The spirit of an honest person trying to reform the social ills is nipped in the bud by the greedy and the corrupt. Favouritism is shown in matters of appointments to government service and selection of candidates for admission to the higher technical institution.
Those who are empowered to curb corruption are the very shareholders and promoters of corruption. Corruption, as it is prevalent in the rank and file of the administration, has assumed alarming proportions. The officers, as Well as their subordinates, keep their personal interests above the national interests.
Correction of the graft is, these days, an open game in the system of licence And permits for setting up enterprises, securing quotes for raw-materials, import and export licenses, and expansion of trade and commerce. consequently, the types of corruption have increased a thousandfold. The panorama is vast and baffling and beyond control despite the loud-talk of anti-corruption measures, stringent laws and of deterrent measures.
Hoarding, smuggling, black-marketing and adulteration are the worst forms of corruption. They go on nibbling all our plans and projects and cripple our economy or economy. The result in rising prices which in turn Break or bend the back of poor masses.
Despite the enactment of anti-defection law, horse-trading in politics Has been going on unabated. Two splits in the Janta Dal had been engineered by P.V. Narasimha Rao to ensure a majority for the party in the parliament. Even Jharkhand MPs were bribed to support his government when he was required to prove his majority on the floor of the parliament.
Corruption has penetrated the rank and file of such departments which are connected with the secret services or the security of the country Recently a number of persons have been arrested on the charge of spying for other countries. The damage done by these traitors is beyond calculation.
Corruption is a hydra-headed monster. The reasons are not too far to seek People who have to pay huge capitation fees to enter an insinuation for specialised studies and those who purchase postings by contributing to the coffers of the ruling party need to regain their money quickly by accepting kickbacks and commissions.
In turn, the contractors who grease officers palms to win a contract need to make up for it by add sand to cement. Thus, the vicious circle goes on.
When the entire social and economic set-up breathes of speedy money’ to push things through it is almost impossible to resist temptation. Human beings are, after all. human beings. These days our norms are palm- greasing, extortions by politicians from Industrialists by inspectors from, shopkeepers, by officials and clerks from the public and by everybody from everybody else even for small favours.
Our ministers, politicians and officers are getting thick-skinned. Many times, the parliament saw storm Of charges of corruption against ministers, their sons and sons-in-law. The licence scandal of 1974 and stock scams are unforgettable. Today, In India corruption is all a way of life, a routine. A disease which is difficult To and to cure.
Mere condemning of corruption will not do. Enthusiasm for the Eradication of evil should not be allowed to peter out. It should be sustained At all costs. Uprooting corruption is not that easy a job. But determination Disarms difficulties.
Let the government be determined to eradicate corruption as Lincoln was to abolish chattel slavery. There is a strong need for strengthening the Central Vigilance Commission.
It is heartening to note that the Present government has decided to implement the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission and brought forward Lok Pal Bill in the parliament to uproot corruption.
It is the moral duty of the opposition to support the bill and ensures its passage in the parliament. No person, however high and mighty he may be, should escape punishment if he is found guilty of having indulged in any corrupt practice.
The best way of curbing corruption is to inculcate moral values and a staunch integrity in the people. The lust for mammon must be replaced by a search for spiritual values. Corrupt elements well-entrenched in the admin istration must be weeded out and a thorough screening of the administraion is called for.
