• AUTHOR:
This article is written by Kamaldeep kaur, student at institute of law, Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra.
• INTRODUCTION:
Corruption is a very old miracle and it can be seen everywhere these days. The term corruption simply means demolition, ruining, spoiling a society or a nation. A corrupt society is described by evil and absence of fear or respect for the law. It is the misuse of public power for private attain. Corruption comes under many different ways like bribery, extortion, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriations of public goods, prejudice (favouring family members for jobs and contracts) cronyism
and influence pending. Corruption is a problem that mainly derives in the communication among government and the market economy where the government itself must be considered autogenous. A few years ago, the question of definition immersed a large symmetry of the time spent on discussion of corruption at conferences and feelings. Regrettably, the behaviour is often hard to discover directly because, usually acts of corruption do not takes place in wide day light.
• DEFINITION OF CORRUPTION:
The word “corrupt” is derived from the Latin word “corruptus”, which is the past participle of corrumpere, to misuse or destroy, to brea-) when used as an adjective literally means utterly broken. In modern English the usage of the words corruption and corrupt have many meanings like political corruption, Police corruption, data corruption, linguistic corruption, bribery in political, business or sport.
*Mahatma Gandhi says that Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be necessary products of democracy, as they
Definitely are today.
• CORRUPTION IN INDIA:
Corruption in the Indian society has succeed from time ancient in one form or the other. The most basic commencement of corruption started with our opportunistic leaders who have already done greater damage to our nation. People of the nation who work on right principles are unknown and regarded to be absurd fellows in the modern society. Corruption in India is a result of the connection between bureaucrats, criminals and politicians. In the earlier times, currupt were paid for getting wrong things done, but nowaday’s bribe is paid for getting the right things done at the right time. In today’s society corruption has become something very respectable in India, because the reputable people are engaged in it. Social corruption like less weighing of any products, dilution in edible items and bribery of various kind have constantly succeed in the societies.
• POLITICAL CORRUPTION:
Political corruption is the use of legislated authority by government officials for illegal private attain. Misusing of government power for other aims, such as restraint of political opponents and general police cruelity, is not regarded political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or association not directly engaged with the government. An illegal act by an officeholder comprises political corruption only if the act is directly connected to their official duties.
Forms of political corruption vary, but include prejudice, patronage, bribery, extortion, graft, and embezzling. While corruption may expedite criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking, it is not limited to these activities. The activities that comprises illegal corruption differ depending on the country or power. In some cases, government officials have wide or poorly defined authorities, which make it difficult to differentiate between legal and illegal actions. Worldwide, bribery alone is evaluated to engage over 1 trillion United States Dollars annually.
• POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN INDIA:
The Political corruption is pathetic in India. The significant cause of concern is that the corruption is decaying the political body and very severely damaging the supreme importance of the law governing the society. Voting and elections in many parts of the country have become related with a host of culprit activities. The criminals are dangerous voters to vote for a particular candidate or physically avoid voters from going into the polling booth especially the weaker sections of the society like the tribals, dalits and rural woman happens commonly in several parts of the country.
Recently, the Government of India accelerate the salary of the M.P.’s (Member of Parliament) from Rs.16, 000 to Rs.50, 000, that is 300% increase when compared to the existing salary. But many of MP’s are unhappy with the rise and want the Government to increase the salary to a much more expanse. This clearly shows how politicians are in steady craving for
Pecuniary profits and not even caring about the welfare of the people. Tax elusion is one of the most famous forms of corruption. It is mostly skilled by Government officials and politicians which leads to the collection of black money which in turn spoils the solidarity of the people.
• SOME MAJOR SCAMS OF INDIA:
– INDIAN COAL ALOCATION SCAM:
This scam is also known as Coalgate Scam, which was arised in 2012 when UPA government was in the authority.
This scam is one of the largest scam of all times in India. It was a political scam, in which Comptroller and Auditor
General accused the Government of illegally subsidy of 194 blocks of coal during 2004 and 2009. Original
estimated loss was Rs10 lakh crores, but in final report the scam was announced of Rs.1.86 lakh crores by Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG).
-2G SPECTRUM SCAM:
This scam is known as 2G Spectrum Scam. In this scam, Government was resumed that they had overcharged mobile
telephone companies for regularity allocation licences which were used to create 2G spectrum subscriptions in 2008.
The main indicted was Telecom Minister A. Raja in this scam. Comptroller and Auditor General initate that the
scam was Rs. 176000 crores. As a result, Supreme Court led to the abondonment over 120 licenses in 2012.
-COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCAM:
Even Sports were not stay unaltered with the scams. Commonwealth Games carried in 2010, was the largest i.e. of
scam in Indian history. Chairman of the Commonwealth Games, named Suresh Kalmadi was convicted of corruption and
misconduct during Commonwealth games carried in India. The whole event was marred with allegations of criminal
cabal, forgery and cheating. This scam was of Rs. 70000 Crores. This scam put a black spot on India. It was also
Announced that Indian athletes were forced to stay in terrible conditions alternately of lodging assigned to them by
authorities.
-BOFORS SCANDAL:
Bofors Scandal was connected to weapon deal. This scam took place among Sweden and India during 1980s and 1990s.
India signed a deal of Rs. 1437 Crores with Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors AB, for the supply of 155mm field
howitzer to Indian Army. Many politicians engaging Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi were accused of bribes of Rs. 64
Crores for the deal. In present, Bofors scandal is evaluated to be around Rs. 400 Crores.
-NIRAV MODI PNB BANK FRAUD:
This scam is one of the most contentious scams of Indian history. This scam took place through PNB‟s Brady house
brand. Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and two other Punjab National Bank officials were included in this scam. In this
scam, Nirav Modi accused of obtaining Letters of Undertaking (LOU) from PNB without paying margin money against
the loans. It simply means if the companies vain to pay the loan, PNB itself would have to pay the amount. This scam
was about Rs. 11400 Crores.
• CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN INDIA:
Corruption is a international miracle and it is omnipotent. It has progressively accelerate and is now drastic in our society. Corruption in India has wings, not wheels. As the nation grows, the corrupt also grow to invent new methods of
cheating the government and public. The cause of corruption is many and complex. The following Emergence are some other causes of corruption:
1. The important causes of corruption in India are poor regulatory framework, exclusivist process of decision making aggravated by discretion and official secrecy, rigid bureaucratic structures and processes; and absence of effective internal control mechanism. Social acceptability and tolerance for corruption and absence of a formal system of inculcating the values of ethics
and integrity further propagates corruption.
2. Significant levels of corruption exist in India despite the existence of a relatively strong governance structure, institutions, legal framework and policies. The anti-corruption laws and institutions coupled with a strong oversight system consisting of the CVC,
CAG and the CIC have been well acknowledged. The problem lies in implementation and there is a huge gap between the policies
and practice.
3. Public procurement is an activity highly prone to corruption and which has serious impact on the industry as well as the market.
According to World Bank estimate, the average bribe to obtain a public contract is estimated at 15% of the contract value. The
CVC therefore maintains a high focus in this area.
4. Low Pay scales/ Wages: Most of the employees in the government sector are paid low wages and salaries. Hence some
employees revert to corruption for more financial benefits. low salaries of government officials compel them to resort to corruption.
5. Low Job opportunities:This is another cause of corruption. Due to the lack of job opportunities, many people like to go for
corruption mode to get a job offer. They will be ready to pay lump-sum amounts for the job offer to the higher officials or
politicians.
6. Lack of Strict and fast punishments: Even if someone is found guilty or even caught red-handed by the anti-corruption officials
or media, the convicts get less punishment. First, they will be suspended for a few months or weeks and then re-posted to another location with the same Job grade and pay. So this means the official who did the corrupt practice is given a free license to continue his practice.
7. If the government is so strict that any such corrupt incidents will lead to permanent removal from the job and also punishment
like several years’ imprisonment, then the corruption will come down to a large extent.
8. Lack of fear of bad reputation: If a person is corrupt or has done some unacceptable misconduct, they have to be avoided and not be respected. But currently, those with corruption and other offense-related history are given prominent positions like
members of parliament or even higher posts. Instead of being disrespected, they are respected.
9. Lack of Public Unity: The public openly criticizes corruption, but interestingly there is no unity among the public to stop
corruption. If a person wants to get his done his work, he gets it done by corruption means if possible and then later criticizes the corrupt official. If the public stands united against corruption so that no one is ready to offer bribes to get their work done,then the corrupt officials will have no other option but to work in a corruption-free manner. During the election, politicians try to lure
the people by offering money and other things. If these politicians win and get power, they try to regain 10 to 100 times the amount spent in the process.
10. Lack of transparency in affairs and deals: Many seat selection processes like in education, contracts for the job, employee
income reports (wealth possession), etc., lack transparency.
11. Lack of Independent detective agency: Lack of an independent detective agency to investigate with full power and freedom to expose the corrupt individuals. The existing agencies are under the control of either the government or the armies and are not free to work. Hence anyone who commits offense will not be afraid of the investigation as they can escape from it by taking the help of those controlling them.
12. Lack of state funding for elections: State funding for polls is the best way to beat corruption. Political parties receive party
donations and will not disclose them to the fullest. In doing so, they encourage corruption.
13. They collect massive amounts from industrialists with a promise to help when in power. The presence of state funding can abolish
party donations and minimize corruption.
14. The option of many political parties: In a democracy, anyone can establish a political party. So there are chances for the
corruption of many political parties in the country.
15. If a political party wins, then the party members will desire to expand the party all over the country. To do so, they need enough
financial reserves. Once they come into power, they opt for corrupt means to make the wealth needed to expand the party.
16. Lack of enough powers to the judicial system: and other independent organizations. Like the election commission cannot ban
a politician from contesting in case they make a mistake or do not comply with the rules during the poll campaign (like distributing
money to people etc.).
• EFFECTS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION:
1. Effects on politics, institutions and administration:
Corruption poses a serious developmental challenge. In the political realm, it undermines democracy and good governance by flouting or even subverting formal processes. Corruption in elections and in legislative bodies reduces accountability and distorts representation in policymaking; corruption in the judiciary compromises the rule of law; and corruption in public administration results in the inefficient provision of services. It violates the basic principle of republicanism regarding the centrality of civic virtue. More generally, corruption erodes the institutional capacity of government as procedures are disregarded, resources are siphoned off, and public offices are bought and sold. At the same time, corruption undermines the legitimacy of government and such democratic values as trust and tolerance.
2.Economic effects due to Corruption:
Corruption blunts economic development by generating considerable distortions and inefficiency. In the private sectors, corruption increases the cost of business through the price of illicit payments themselves, the management cost of negotiating with officials, and the risk of breached agreements or detection. Although some claim that corruption reduces costs by cutting bureaucracy, the availability of bribes can also induce officials to contrive new rules and delays. Openly removing of costly and lengthy regulations are better than covertly allowing them to be bypassed by using bribes. Where corruption builds up the cost of business, it also distorts the playing field, shielding firms with connections from competition and thereby sustaining inefficient firms.
Corruption also generates economic distortions in the public sector by diverting public investment into capital projects where bribes and kickbacks are more plentiful. Officials may increase the technical complexity of public sector projects to conceal or pave the way for such dealings, thus further distorting investment. Corruption also lowers compliance with construction, environmental, or other regulations, reduces the quality of government services and infrastructure, and increases budgetary pressures on government. Economists argue that one of the factors behind the differing economic development in Africa and Asia is that in the former, corruption has primarily taken the form of rent extraction with the resulting financial capital being moved overseas rather than invested at home.
3.Environmental and social effects:
Corruption facilitates environmental destruction. Corrupted countries may formally have legislation to protect the environment, it cannot be enforced if officials can easily be bribed. The same is applicable to social rights worker protection, unionization prevention, and child labor. Violation of these laws facilitate corrupt countries to gain illegitimate economic advantage in the international market.
The Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has observed that “there is no such thing as an apolitical food problem.” While drought and other naturally occurring events may trigger famine conditions, it is the government action or inaction that determines its severity, and often even whether or not a famine will occur. Governments with strong tendencies towards kleptocracy can undermine food security even when harvests are good. Officials often steal state property. In Bihar, India, more than 80% of the subsidized food aid to poor is stolen by corrupt officials.Similarly, food aid is often robbed at gunpoint by governments, criminals, and warlords alike, and sold for a profit. The 20th century is full of many examples of governments undermining the food security of their own nations – sometimes intentionally.
• CONCLUSION:
Corruption is a cancer, which every Indian must strike to cure. Many new leaders declare their determination to eradicate
corruption but soon they themselves become corrupt and start amassing huge wealth. Many people become materialistic and money oriented, there is no importance of ethics and morals in business dealing. This is because these kinds of people have no moral accountability to anybody or about society or nation. There are many myths about corruption which have to be exploded if we really want to combat it. Public awareness is must to combat corruption in India, for this it should be must to improve our education system
because education is the best mean to understand fundamental rights and Right – Wrong conversation. Corruption can be remed if people can understand and start to believe the value of ethics and morality in their life.
• REFERENCES:
1. https://www.mindcontroversy.com
3. https://www.abhipedia.abhimanu.com
• FAQ:
1 .What was the biggest corruption in India?
Many of the biggest scandals since 2010 have involved high level government officials, including Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers, such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam (₹70,000 crore (US$8.4 billion)), the Adarsh Housing Society scam, the Coal Mining Scam (₹1.86 lakh crore (US$22 billion)), the Mining Scandal .
2. How many types of corruption are there?
Corruption can take many forms linked to different types of behavior, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, extortion, kickbacks, money laundering, fraud, and conflicts of interest.
3. How to fight corruption in government?
Combating Corruption and Promoting Good Governance
Strengthen Regimes to Prevent Corruption and Bring Corrupt Actors to Justice. …
Enhance International Cooperation and Partnerships. …
Denying Safe Haven. …
Recognize Reform. …
Leverage Coordination and Learning to Combat Corruption.
