A body-blow to corruption can make India a developed nation by 2047

If poor people have to pay bribes to reap the benefit of affirmative measures, then there is something seriously wrong with the administrative ecosystem. Procurement of all kinds of certificates, executing sale deeds, registration of vehicles, properties, driving licenses, no objection certificates and disability certificates should be hassle-free exercises

Corruption not only eats into our socio-economic vitals but also perpetuates disparities and poses a serious challenge to affirmative measures that are endeavoured at bringing parity among various social groups. If corruption is allowed to cast its nefarious shadow over governance, its repercussions will be felt across the social-political and economic spectrum.

In a country like India, where income disparities are so wide and deep and gaps between haves and have-nots ever swelling, corruption must be dealt with an iron hand. Punishing the corrupt is a global practice. But then that is not a once and for all solution given how deep-rooted this menace is. It is an irony of life that streamlining the system and plugging the loopholes to root out corruption is still considered as a daunting task in the majority of developing countries where poverty is massive; quality of education and healthcare is restricted; and discrimination is rampant.

India as a nation is luckily much better placed despite all challenges and inheritance issues. The size of its economy is quite big and it continues to expand. Remarkable reforms in governance over the years and an increased use of technologies are effectively challenging the power of corruption, which, at times, appears to be so institutionalized and patronized that people tend to reconcile to the fact that the network of corruption is so fine-tuned that nothing much can be done to rip it apart.

India’s fight against corruption was also discussed at the first Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) meeting of G-20 held recently in Gurugram, Haryana.

Speakers underscored the importance of a unified no-holds-barred action to ensure zero-tolerance against corruption and strengthen G-20 commitments to combat corruption at the global level.

In an interesting revelation, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the premier anti-corruption agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has transferred assets worth about $180 billion to public sector banks that fell prey to innumerable frauds.

Dr. Singh not only described corruption as a challenge but also admitted that it adversely impacts effective utilization of resources, creates market distortions, adversely impacts the quality of life and of the benefits of globalization and consequently, economic growth and overall governance and most disproportionately affecting the poor and most marginalized sections of society.

If poor people have to pay bribes to reap the benefit of affirmative measures, then there is something seriously wrong with the administrative ecosystem. Procurement of all kinds of certificates, executing sale deeds, registration of vehicles, properties, driving licenses, no objection certificates and disability certificates should be hassle-free exercises and done in a time-bound manner where the role of agents and brokers is done away with altogether. Wonder if powers-that-be will ever take note of such small issues! However, if resolved, it will be a big relief for the masses and there on to the government of the day, which can pat itself on the back for a job done well.

Since corruption is a multidimensional rot, there should be no discrimination and biases in dealing with any of its dimensions.

Transparency International (TI) ranked India at 85 among 180 countries in its Corruption Perception Index report released last year. The TI ranking may not be absolutely acceptable but loopholes in the system stand exposed. If people have to struggle for small but important purposes like obtaining NOCs, quality driving licenses, registration of vehicles, then it is time one starts to worry. If unethical practices in hospitals and fair price shops take place, then we need to worry. If there is a huge gap between maximum retail prices and the actual price at which a retailer should sell the product, it is even more worrying. If the prices of implants are not capped and monitored at the level from where the users buy them, then there is a need to reflect, rethink priorities and work accordingly.

If willful loan defaulters are not being dealt with firmly, then the very efficacy of the system will draw flak.

As of March 31, 2022, the top 50 willful defaulters collectively owed Rs 92,570 crore to Indian banks. GST audits undertaken by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in the Financial Year led to the detection of Rs 22,000 crore in tax evasion from nearly 48,000 cases, as per a media report published in mid-February. A survey conducted by TI in 2020 – Global Corruption Barometer, Asia – claimed that India has the dubious distinction when it comes to bribery in the Asian region. It also revealed that the nation had the highest rate of people using personal connections to access public services. Bribery and familiarity will become redundant once the system becomes transparent and accountable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Vigilance Awareness Week' address in New Delhi on November 3, 2022, said: "There have been two major reasons behind the prevalence of corruption in our country and preventing the countrymen from moving forward. One, the lack of facilities and secondly, unnecessary interference from the government! For a long time, people were denied facilities and opportunities and a gap was allowed to grow. This led to an unhealthy competition to secure benefits over others. This competition also helped create an ecosystem of corruption. Queues became ubiquitous for ration, gas connection, filling of gas cylinders, payment of bills, admissions, licensees and for any other permission. The longer the queue meant rampant growth of corruption. And if anyone has to bear the most due to corruption, then it is the poor and the middle class of the country.”

Modi added, “When the poor and middle class of the country spend their energy in mobilizing these resources, then how can the country progress? Therefore, we have been trying to change the system created by scarcity and interference …"

Indeed, corruption, exploitation and control of resources must not be prolonged. The goal of saturation will be a golden way to break the spine of corruption. It will also help the nation in ensuring transparent and comprehensive execution of affirmative policies and programmes.

India needs an administrative ecosystem, which does not only have zero-tolerance against corruption but is also inclusive in approach and spirit. It must be firmly embedded in the DNA of our governance.

Ranking of departments on the basis of the number of pending corruption cases, complaints and work requests will make a great difference. But who will bell the cat remains the million dollar question. However, a start has to be made. Complaints are rarely analyzed and crowds outside counters are still not taken as a source of serious pointers. This does not bode well for the country. Corruption and crime must not be a source of opportunities for unscrupulous forces if Amrit Kaal is the time to build a resilient, inclusive and developed India.

It is time to get rid of the problems that the common people of the country face due to corruption at every level of administration and governance.

Ensuring a corruption-free country is a collective responsibility of those who know where the shoe is pinching.

Let us make an attempt – and honest and serious one - to sound the death-knell of the menace of corruption!

(The writer is a senior journalist, columnist and author. The views expressed are his personal)