How to Control Corruption In India

Corruption means lack of integrity. It is an act done with an intent to gain some advantage, inconsistent with official duty and the rights of others. It is not only about bribery, it also relates to the abuse of power in decision- making processes. It is a form of behavior that deviates form ethics, morality, traditions and law. It is a global phenomenon which has progressively increased over time, and is now rampant in all societies across the world. In simple words, corruption is use of public office for private gain.
Corruption in India is a consequence of the nexus between bureaucrats, politicians and criminals. Earlier, bribes were paid for getting wrong things done, but now bribe is paid for getting right things done at right time. Corruption is a vicious circle which keeps going on. It does not shock Indians anymore to know that not only the politicians, ministers and bureaucrats are corrupt, but even the judges, professors, doctors and NGOs, etc., also belong to the same category. Corruption is prevalent in almost every section of the society and at every level. Further, corruption has become something respectable in India, because respectable people are involved in it. Corruption has its way because everyone is happy and no one has any problem with it. All of us break laws everyday and we also love the fact that we can do so when it is convenient for us.
Corruption is like diabetes, it can be controlled but not altogether eliminated. Corruption may seem to be the ultimate truth to many of us. Some are the opinion that abolishing the evil of corruption is not totally impossible. Actually corruption is quite possible to have a corruption free state. It is a highly difficult target to achieve because it would warrant cooperation from each individual, every citizen, every individual, every institution and governing body right from the grass roots level to the elite class. What needs to be awakened is the inner soul, and one’s moral and ethical values.
In every government department, there is an officer appointed as public information officer, who is responsible for collecting the information wanted by the citizens and providing them with the relevant information. For this there is a nominal fee to be paid by the applicant. The person who approaches the public information officer is not required to give any reasons or additional information other that his or her contact details. The rules have it that after filling the application, the application must receive the information within a stipulated period of 30 days. In case the public information officer refuses to accept the application, the applicant does not receive the required information within the prescribed time, then the applicant can make a formal complaint to the respective Information Commission, which has the power to impose a penalty on the errant public information officer.
Secondly, if one has a grievance against any government department, one can use the Grievance Redressal Machinery to voice his or her problem so that it may be solved. But unfortunately , the officers in charge do little about the reports of grievances that they receive, so now, we can also keep a check on the working of the grievance redressal machinery of any department through RTI. When such applications are filed, investigation begins into these matters and the government departments themselves start correcting or speeding up to the process. Another potent check on corruption is the Central Vigilance Commission. It was set up by the government to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the area of Vigilance. If there are any cases of corruption or any complaints thereof , then that can be reported to the Central Vigilance Commission and redressal of the same can be sought. If one has any doubts regarding the working of Central Vigilance Commission or regarding a particular grievance not satisfactorily redressed, then that can also be solved using RTI Act as suggested earlier. Central Vigilance Commission also shoulders the responsibility of creating more awareness among people regarding the consequences of giving and taking or bribes and corruption.
Establishment of special courts for speedy justice can be a huge positive aspect. If we establish special courts in every district depending upon the jurisdictional capacity, which has minimum procedural complexities, then it would be easier for a common man to reach the door of justice. Transparency and accountability are a must for proper functioning of a democratic system. Therefore , the functioning of the government should be made more accountable, citizen friendly, ethical and transparent. Evasion of tax payment causes huge economic losses to the country.
The political parties should be made to get their accounts audited regularly and their filing of income tax returns should be scrutinized carefully. There should be a strict code of enforcement for all the statutory requirements.
In the ultimate analysis, the one thing which has to be ensured is proper, impartial, and unbiased use of various anti corruption regulations to take strong, deterrent, and timely legal action against the offenders, irrespective of their political connections or money power. Politicians and bureaucrats will no doubt make India in times to come, a less corrupt or rather a corruption free state.