A cashier, in the Minor Irrigation Department of the Zila Parishad, in Maharashtra, drawing a salary of Rs 1630 per month was found in possession of movable and immovable properties, including a fleet of cars, worth over Rs 20 lakh. In the case, the judge commented that “It is highly improbable that it was within the lawful means of the Class III Government servant to acquire and maintain a fleet of vehicles.” It was also held, that the spouse of a Government officer, in a corruption case, who has benefited, from his/her ill-gotten wealth is equally guilty.

Though the Prevention of Corruption Act, under which the accused were charged, is mainly applicable against public servants, the judge referred to a Supreme Court judgment that said a non- public servant can also be prosecuted for abetment of the same offence. It is an excellent judgment and will check investment of the dishonest gains, in the names of relations and friends.

Corruption has seeped into the veins of bureaucracy. Some of them take the Government jobs as a means to earn fast money. A common man feels very uncomfortable while approaching any Government office as no work is done unless there is an incentive behind it. Corruption does not affect only the Indians, even the foreign' firms, wanting to do business here go through the ordeal. Naturally the perception of global firms regarding corrupt environment in India, affects our reputation and the cost of raising funds by Indian Companies.

Corruption has been turned into robbery and dacoits. Every year, India’s poor are cheated out of 53.3% of wheat and 39% of rice meant for them. Under development and corruption are the two sides of the same com. They are inextricably linked. Huge budgets for poverty alleviation or for agriculture sector does not often reach the intended beneficiaries. There is too much of Government control on every aspect of life and too many approvals and sanctions are required to almost everything.

The corrupter is as guilty as the corrupted. People have lost the patience to get their work done in the queue. Another problem, which deters the people, in making complaints and getting the corrupt booked, is the long drawn procedures and court proceedings.  There are the urgent matters concerning the citizens that need the attention of Government, which no Government irrespective of the party in power has tried to improve. There are too many loop holes and technicalities, which enable the corrupt to escape. Laws should be simplified and the benefit of doubt should be given to the society, rather than to corrupt and crooked. With the availability of modern technology, like the videos, secret camera recording devices, the same should be made admissible, in the court of law, instead of insisting on the presence of physical presence of the witnesses.

Integrating the right values in children helps bringing up respectable citizens of the country. Let all of start playing our roles in making India a non corrupt country. It might take time but it is not impossible to do so.