Integrity in public service
Corruption has always been central concern of governance at all times. Power corrupts and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely. These words of Lord Acton seem to have universal validity. Corruption is defined as the use of public power for private profit in a way that constitutes breach of law. The Santhanam committee gives an interesting twist to the definition of Corruption: any action or failure to take action in the performance of duty by a government servant for some advantage is corruption. It widens the definition by including action as well as inactions.
The Indian legacy
Prevalence of official corruption finds reference from Ancient India in Kautilya’s Arthashastra. He observes that corruption causes administrative inefficiency, misuse of government’s exchequer, and proves to be hurdle in the path of development. In medieval India corruption was at its peak during the Sultanate and Mughal administration.
Post-independence chaotic period includes the partition, massive refugee, integration process, Kashmir War and others provide opportunities for corruption. Several scandals took place in last few decades including the Bofors, fodder, LIC, telecom, coal, spectrum and the list is endless.
Sources of corruption
A systematic understanding helps approach to study corruption in India. Erosion of moral and ethical values from public life as a consequence of growing westernization, urbanization, and industrialization leads to a tendency of lust for wealth and power and is instrumental to corrupt public life. More worsening is the social respect the wealthy and the powerful get in the society irrespective of the sources of their income gaining higher status in the society.
The expansion of role of state in the economic system and democratic elections equipped the politician with power and clout. It is because of the political system which provides the executive (minister) the extraordinary power because of the immunity from the public accountability.
The close nexus of politician, bureaucrats, and businessmen often led to crony capitalism is a major source of corruption. Modest salaries of officials remain a crucial factor of corruption at mid and low levels. With increased privatization the sky-rocketing salaries leaves the civil services unattractive and those presents with low morale.
Cumbersome laws, slow judicial proceedings and low level of public awareness are responsible for misgovernance. Lack of transparency in public dealings under the cover of Officials secret act withholds certain information, even those which need not be hidden.
Measures to curb corruption
Several efforts were made by government even in the pre-independence time. Section 161 was enacted in the Indian penal code of 1860 defining corruption. The prevention of corruption act 1988 supplemented the section also provides more effective protection of bribery and corruption.
International experience shows strict legal, judicial and administrative control helps to curb corruption. It is also reminiscent of Kautilaya’s Danda niti. Recommendation of committee on prevention of corruption set up in 1962 under the chairmanship of K Santhanam gave birth to agencies namely- Central vigilance commission (CVC) and Central bureau of Investigation (CBI).
CVC acts as principal agency to prevent corruption at different levels of administrative set up. There is a vigilant department at every public department and organization funded by the government. CBI on the other hand investigates the cases of corruption and assists the CVC bringing in the cases of malpractices.
Several conduct rules at central services and other service provides a framework for administrative conduct e.g. All India Services (conduct) rules 1968, central services (conduct) rules 1964. Constitutional provisions under article 311 laid down condition of dismissal of civil servants. CAG also provides adequate information and legal proofs to check the corrupt malpractices at higher levels.
The coming in full force of Lokpal and Lokayukta act 2013 will provide more teeth to the prevention of corruption machinery in the country. The consistent efforts of government need political as well as electoral reforms to check the corrupt practices in public spheres.
