Increasing Corruption: A threat to Indian Politics
Keywords: Corruption, politics, judicial, economic, society, economic, Benami, transparency, bribery
Corruption has not only become a ubiquitous aspect of Indian politics but has also become an increasingly important factor in Indian elections. It is a term that is heard in the news every day, and cases of corruption have become a common occurrence.
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which ranks 180 countries awards India a score of 40, rendering it the 81st most corrupt country in the world.
INTRODUCTION
Corruption in simple terms can be described as “an act of corruption”. It is defined as the use of public service for private gain in a manner that constitutes a violation of the law or a deviation from the norms of society.
Corruption poses itself as one of the easiest ways to make money. This act compromises the rights and privileges of others. Corruption primarily includes activities like bribery or embezzlement. However, Corruption can take place in many ways. Also, most people in positions of authority are susceptible to Corruption. It certainly reflects greedy and selfish behaviour.
Causes of Corruption
- Legacy Issues: Pre-liberalization license permit raj catered by Monopolies and restrictive trade practices facilitated the corruption. The lack of economic freedom led to abuse of the system.
- Political System: Use of black money in elections to win at any cost (breaching statutory spending limits) creates the need for the recovery of that cost through malpractices.
- Economic Structure: Stringent compliance rules for entry and exit for businesses result in bribery.
- Judicial Delays: Delays and dying away from the corruption cases at the judicial level due to lack of evidence or faulty investigation. It also showcases the politician-public servant-judicial (lower levels) nexus.
- Social Problems: Illiteracy, poverty, and inability to understand complex procedures. Increasing consumerism in the new middle class that is ready to bribe to get things done. Failure of social morality, and education system to teach the values.
Methods of Corruption
- Bribery: It is the most common method of Corruption. Bribery involves the improper use of favours and gifts in exchange for personal gain.
- Embezzlement: It refers to the act of withholding assets for theft.
- Graft: It is a global form of Corruption. It refers to the illegal use of a politician’s authority for personal gain.
- Extortion: It means to obtain property, money or services illegally.
- Favouritism and Nepotism: This refers to a person favouring one’s relatives and friends.
- Abuse: It refers to a person misusing one’s power and authority. An example can be a judge unjustly dismissing a criminal’s case.
- Influence Peddling: This refers to illegally using one’s influence with the government or other authorized individuals. Also, it takes place to obtain preferential treatment or favour.
Effects of Corruption on Society
- Hindrances to Developmental Process: loss of wealth due to corruption and siphoning away of taxpayers’ money leave little to spend in the social sector.
- Economic Loss: Undermines ease of doing business. Corruption in the public services sector carries high risks for conducting good business. Companies will likely receive unwanted red tape, petty corruption, and bribes for finalising procedures or deals.
- Harmful to National Security: Corruption in the border security establishment creates problems of terrorist infiltration. Illegal migration has caused the issue of NRC implementation.
- Social Sector Losses: Corruption in government projects targeting poor and vulnerable sections of society increases the economic gap between the rich and the poor.
- Loss of Faith in the System: It leads to the loss of legitimacy of the political systems and gives free hand to non-state actors. E.g. Left-wing extremism.
Solutions to Stop Corruption
- Electoral Reforms: Barring the criminals from even participating in the elections as suggested by the election commission. Imposing limits on the overall expenditure of the political parties. Empowering ECI by giving legal force to MCC and making paid news a criminal offence.
- Strengthening of Autonomous Institutions: Protecting the autonomy of CIC-giving him a constitutional status. Provision of required manpower, infrastructure, and training of vigilance agencies. Eliminate overlapping of jurisdiction- e.g. Lokpal and CBI.
- Economic Reforms: Negating legal lacunae in banking, stock market legislations. Improving corporate governance by implementing corporate governance committee reports.
- Administrative Reforms: Establishing the Civil Service Board to curb the excessive political control over the administration. Reducing the hierarchy levels in the governments. Conducting periodic sensitivity training for civil servants. Simplifying the disciplinary proceedings and strengthening preventive vigilance within the departments to ensure corrupt civil servants do not occupy sensitive positions.
- Social Sector Improvements: Awareness of citizenry by training them in the RTI act, Citizens charter, and social audits. Increasing democratization of the masses. Curriculum reforms to inculcate values even in higher education by which youngsters acquire high standards of ethical mindset.
Rules and Punishments for Cases of Corruption in India
Corruption is a serious offence and the consequences are quite risky. In India, those who indulge in corruption can be punished under the following laws:
- According to Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, any public servant (government employees, officers in the navy, military or air force; police, judges, officers of the Court of Justice, and any local authority established by a central or state Act) about a criminal breach of trust is liable to undergo life imprisonment or imprisonment up to ten years with fine.
- The Benami Transactions Prohibition Act of 1988 prohibits Benami transactions and will be punished with imprisonment of up to three years and/or with a fine. Also all properties would be acquired by the prescribed authority.
- If charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the guilty will be penalised with a minimum of six years and a maximum of five years and a fine.
- The Money Laundering Act of 2002 puts the individual who is charged for committing the offence with a rigorous imprisonment of three to seven years and a fine of up to five lakhs.
Conclusion
Integrity, transparency, as well as fighting against corruption have to be part of the culture. They must be thought of as fundamental values of the society we live in. corruption should not be seen as cancer to be eliminated root and branch.
An incremental approach to the problem will lead to an achievable target-setting and faster completion. People should be aware that they can change the system. India against corruption movement of 2011 was not the last fight. There have to be continuous checks and balances in the system. Corruption can be tackled effectively.
Author: Tanishka Ranjan
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