"I am a poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. I do not want riches but all I want is an India that is free of corruption, where no one gives or takes bribe." This voice of a common man suggests that even in today's world idealism is not totally dead. It thrives in every heart of common Indians. There is an intense desire for having an environment that is corruption free in the country.
Corruption is a global phenomenon, found everywhere, in one shape or the other. Whether the country is a democracy, kingship, socialist or communist, developing or developed, corruption exists in one form or other. As almost all countries are under the grip of corruption this issue assumes not only national but global importance as well.
Corruption is a kind of allurement, that psychologically encourages a human being to make personal gains, whether in kind, or in cash.
In India, corruption has become a way of life. It is regarded as a land which abounds in political opportunism, avarice, crime and where everything is possible, but with money and bribe.
Corruption begins at the top and percolates down to the lowest rank in the government offices. Money earned through corruption is pumped further into money spinning channels to generate more money. Sometimes such money is smuggled abroad in safe havens and is not ploughed back into the domestic economy. The cry for getting back such money stashed in safe heavens is going on for some time in the country.
In India Corruption generally leads to the promotion and rewards. Plum transfers, posting and promotion are all happening by paying bribe in this country.
Those accused of corruption rarely get caught. Even if they do so they manage to escape punishment, because the judicial system takes unreasonably long time to dispose such cases. Most of the accused get exonerated of the charges for want of evidence.
According to former Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) N. Vittal there are five key players in on Indian corruption scene. They are; 'neta, babu, lala, jhola and dada.'
Neta means, politicians, across the political spectrum, in power or out of power, all are corrupt. It's on their orders that any work could be done, so one has to pay bribe to them to get the work done.
The second engine of corruption is the Babus starting from the government secretaries down to clerks. These executives who are the steel frame of governance are accused of corruption as no work is possible without greasing their palms.
Giving bribe is also an act of corruption. The 'lalas' are the moneyed class, who pay bribe to get their work done. Their number is quite huge, thanks to the booming economy of India. They are at complete ease to pay any amount of bribe and thus encouraging corruption in the country.
The government these days is sharking from its social responsibilities and handing this over to the nongovernmental organizations. The 'jhola' represents the nongovernmental organizations. The NGOs are fast becoming a den of corruption.
Finally the dada, the muscle men, the mafia, the criminals, the goons are the engine of corruption. In some places even the government has to pay them tax for conducting the work smoothly. The common man finds it more convenient to go to them to get their work, rather making rounds of government offices and bribe all and sundry.
In such scenario what should be done to control the devil of corruption in India. Here are some measures suggested that can be helpful in eradicating corruption.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas should work effectively to make the concept of zero tolerance of corruption a meaningful expression in the country.
Anti-corruption clubs should be set up in colleges that may work in close coordination with the CVC. The members of the NVC should be authorized to expose and check cases of corruption.
A "corruption perception index" of all government departments, public sector units and banks'' should be put together. The index should be compiled through private organisations and should be asked to rank various wings of government in terms of perception of corruption.
The government and the media should encourage whistle-blowers and the Whistle-Blower Act, should give such citizens statutory protection.
Obsolete laws and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures are the breeding grounds for corruption. No law should be on the statute books for more than five to 10 years unless it is re-enacted and re promulgated after careful examination.
There should be strict implementation of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, and the enactment of a Corrupt Public Servants (Forfeiture of Property) Act and the Freedom of Information Act for empowering the public.
The chambers of commerce including FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM should sign an anti-bribery convention to ensure that their members will not pay bribes.
The property returns of Public servants, MPs MLAs should be made available to the Lokpals and Lokayuktas and Speakers of both Houses annually.
The E-governance should be made mandatory for the all states to encourage transparency in governance. All the government offices should have huge blackboards where the public can list their complaints.
In short, corruption can be eradicated by adopting certain measures like transparency in public life, stringent laws to deal with the corruption cases, electoral reforms to check the misuse of money and muscle power, reforms in judicial system and quick disposal of cases of corruption.
Corruption is a monster that is eating the vitality of the nation. It is distorting the decision on developmental pragrammes and the priorities of the country. In sum the development of the country is mortgaged due to the devil of corruption.
It is high time that awareness against corruption should be made a national mission. This vision alone can free India from the devil of corruption.
These two papers are the only changes that have been introduced by the government which will be enforced from next year onwards that is 2011. The rest of the pattern will remain the same as before. The aspirants clearing these two examinations will then be short listed for the main exam and then the interviews which will be followed after giving the main exams. The pattern for the main exam and the interview will remain the same until next year or in other words next year would be more or less a trial basis for a new pattern.
If the government feels that there is a need for change in pattern of the main exam as well as the interview then it will be considered after next year. As of now the two aptitude tests are the only main changes in the civil services examination. These changes are definitely for the better as this pattern will give more people the encouragement and hope that civil services is not next to impossible and there is chance for even the average hard working people. It is hoped that more number of people will be able to clear the papers so that a fair chance is given to all of them to prove themselves.
Harmeet Monga