Corruption: A Deadly Monster

“J&K among most corrupt states”: Survey.

“33% Respondents Opine State Govt’ Not At All Committed To Reduce Corruption” Greater Kashmir January 10, 2018.

   

This information hardly causes any consternation. The moot question is whom to blame for this menace which has had been eating into the vitals of society with tacit countenance from all stakeholders ergo in different forms. Leaving it to Police only to get rid from it will remain a mirage. As rightly said by Sir Murray McLehose (1973) Governor Of Hong Kong” It’s quite wrong that the police, as a force, should carry the whole responsibility for action in this difficult and elusive field…the situation calls for an organization, which can devote its whole time to the eradication of this evil….Clearly the public would have more confidence in a unit that is entirely independent and separate from any department of the government, including the police.”

Corruption is hardly an evil for the society, and invariably an accepted norm as it entails access to power corridors, awe in neighborhood, besides a lavish lifestyle. Society has failed to manifest itsdisapproval to this menace instead has had been reconciling with it. Unsafe milk being supplied by one of the leading Kashmir based unit is a case in point the operation of which was stalled by the competent office besides being widely publicized pursuant to reports of presence of detergent but escaped from action due to some technicalities. Unfortunately public remained a moot spectator and continued consuming the milk not to talk of a social boycott to show disapproval in a civilized way. Lemming effect at its best. The role of civil society to unmask the perpetrators remains elusive resulting in impunity to perpetrators.

Governments of the day in view of insecurity, inability to work at ground level, lack of public trust, has entrapped itself in opaque fortifications. This results in such brazen disregard to rules; like posting pliable and technically ineligible persons at key positions. Recent instances of mismanagement in our leading health institute exemplify the mess. In one of DVOs conference at SKICC some years back then Director Vigilance Organization was asked about adjustment of people against Gazetted posts in absence of selection through Combined Service Examination/Public Service confirmation and subsequent action by Vigilance/Crime department as it involved misappropriation of state exchequer, but the concerned authority preferred to avoid the query. Most of these selections, particularly during a period of disturbance in State, have allegedly been made in brazen violation to laid down rules. Litigations in courts on these counts are testimony to this. 

Allegations of turning non-gazetted recruitment agencies into a churning centre for political cadres represent another ugly face of corruption. Scuttling the cases against powerful offices by sitting on files tantamount to collusion. Vigilance organization remains under the supervision of General Administrative Department i.e., under the direct control of the ruling party of the time; thus evidently has a limited room of maneuvering which has had been affecting its credibility.

Appreciations and rewards for a fake achievement has belittled the importance of these activities besides creating an environment of intellectual bankruptcy and intellectual dishonesty. This is the worst form of corruption depriving the deserving besides creating quacks in every sphere. The accomplices ensure undermining of the system to create a chaos. 

Bureaucracy in good number of subjects find themselves wanting particularly vis-a-vis subjects requiring technical competence resulting in allegation of corruption. This percolates to implementation levels with reports of failure/overshooting of completion period of schemes and projects etc. Alchi Hydroelectric Power Project at Leh reflects the administrative apathy as most of the power generating capacity of this 40MW project remains unharnessed in view of non-availability of transmission lines to areas of demand.

Police with investigating powers does not seem to have earned the trust of people in controlling the menace and are invariably being alleged of and servility before powerful. Arrests of low rung functionaries, sparing bribe offering parties, failing to construct technically sound cases against powerful, seem to substantiate the apprehensions of common man. Classic case of Hitchens’ razor.

There is urgent need of:

An effective independent powerful law enforcement body comprising persons of highest credibility, and competence. Laws to monitor economic competition particularly regarding awarding of contracts, permits etc.(not confined to manufacturing activities but in all commercial activities including educational institutes).Mushroom growth of uncontrolled academic related institutions and the culture of pseudo- seminars/trainings have become cogs of this vicious cycle of corruption.

Speedy disposal of credible complaints through  impartial/competent oversight bodies will instill an element of confidence in society besides a deterrent against violators.

Reformation of administrative and financial management. Posting of an honest person at top no doubt shall have a salutary impact but will not succeed unless institutions get transmogrified.

Transparency in government transactions and access to information affecting governance is a myth as proved by Sri Lanka and Maldives(Transparency International Sri Lanka/Maldives).

Mutual trust between government and people as shown by Solvenia.

Media to be made accountable to safeguard against misuse in view of their wide reach and immediate impact.

Recognition of genuine honest persons along with punitive measures against accused. Vigilance organization not to be used for settling  political scores or to browbeat opponents.

Weeding out of corrupt officials and developing new set ups as per system in vogue.

Exclusive bureaucratic structure for the subjects involving technical knowhow with inclusion of technical experts.

Meritocracy not to become a spent force with the encouragement of mediocrity.

Special audit by credible and expert teams particularly of expenditures incurred in official foreign junkets and the corresponding benefits/revenue accrued thereof and accordingly put in public domain. Even a parliamentary panel (Committee on Estimates) recently suggested an effective mechanism to assess contribution of officers to national growth. 

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