Amit Gupta
” We need to have societies which create transparent systems and mechanisms to weed out corruption and protect the honest”
As per the report of Transparency International regarding corruptions perception index 2017, India ranks 80 out of 180 countries with an average score of 40 with a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) and 100( very clean). New Zealand stands 1st with CPI scores of 89 in corruptions perception index 2017. India’s ongoing poor performance with a score of 40 reiterates the state’s inability to build institutions / systems which effectively deal with petty corruption as well as large-scale corruption. The impact of corruption on poverty, illiteracy as a result of un-equitable distribution of resources among various strata of society is in-evitable and painful. There are numerous ways in which corruption can divert resources away from development, rewarding the unscrupulous and depriving poor people of services guaranteed by the Government through various schemes. Fighting corruption has become an individual responsibility rather than a collective effort by the society/government institutions. It is often observed that the honest officers/officials are not being liked either by the HODs or the corrupt elements which are in abundance at various levels of organizations / societies etc and are becoming an endangered species as a fallout of their honesty and dedication. The targeting of these honest officers/officials by dishonest /criminal elements resulting in dangerous implications to the honest and their families as they become more prone and susceptible to these elements who enjoy the luxuries of power, muscle and money collected through illegal means. There are numerous dangers, pitfalls but still hope exists that victories are possible in the fight against corruption as honesty is the best policy. Former Finance Minister of Nigeria and Distinguished Fellow Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in her book, “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines”. The book is part memoir and explains on her years of experience as Nigeria’s Finance Minister to describe the dangers of fighting corruption and how best to do it however it further reveal that: “you cannot fight alone and institutional systems are always critical for transparency and accountability”. In order to effectively fight against corruption, one need a coalition of support at all levels of Government. From the top, it is important that leader/head of the organization supports anti-corruption efforts and devise transparent mechanisms and with help of his supportive team having same values and principles work with unity and dedication to implement the policies to prevent corruption and ensure equitable distribution of resources and justice to all irrespective of caste creed and status. Government-wide support is also pre-requisite in fighting corruption. Strong institutional systems are important for increasing transparency, conducting objective analysis of work, setting the rules in proper and realistic manner with definite timelines to deliver and punishing those who break the rules. A strong, transparent and non-corruptible judicial system/ administrative machinery/ legislature coupled with a strong executive office/leader with technical systems to manage money and thwart corruption and supports anti-corruption work can achieve desired results. People are people everywhere and what determines their behavior is the strength of the systems and institutions under which they operate. The fight against corruption is a marathon job and requires long term approach, vision and clear cut policy. The imminent threat to those fighting corruption in personal capacities at various places in the organization and society needs to be protected through a chain of mechanisms and protective laws. Often it is found that individuals working in systems and beyond systems i.e, anti-corruption campaigners have faced physical threats, mental intimidation and character assassination – duly aided and abetted by fake news and the power of social media at the behest of corrupt and powerful persons in the society. Even when a battle is won, there are long lasting scars on the individual and on their family with serious ramifications. And when whistle blowers or anti-corruption officers/ officials have to seek assistance for their safety, the community that is encouraging them to move faster is often the slowest to offer a safe refuge or encouraging hand.
The most valuable lesson for the society is don’t underestimate the personal dimension of fighting this global scourge. Sincere efforts are required to imbibe the values of morality, ethics and honesty at different levels especially the younger generation. The honest need to be protected and rewarded for their acts and their works/ conduct be exemplified among others. Society need to understand that it is the honest practices that ultimately ensures equitable growth and development resulting in proper share to the genuine, needy and poor and it is the society which creates the systems / mechanisms through their representatives at various places. Let the hope become reality and for the hope to become reality, honest need to be preserved protected and exemplified by the society in general, institutions in particular to achieve the desired results.
( The author is presently posted as SSP ACB Poonch-Rajouri-Reasi Wing in ACB, J&K)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel
