Sample Material of Our IAS Mains GS Online Coaching Programme
Subject: General Studies (Paper 4 - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
Topic: Probity In Governance (Part-2)
PROBITY IN GOVERNANCE (Part-2)
Corruption and its challenges
Corruption has become an acceptable term in the Indian society. Though, there were recent protests held by a section of society and supported by large masses. But then there was no outcome of the whole movement. It raises various questions whose answers are hard to find. Corruption has so widely engulfed all the sections of society that it seems an uphill task to root it out from the country. The most shocking part of the widespread corruption in India is the fact that it is not anymore within the parameters of how Transparency International defines corruption, it is no longer limited to politicians or the public senants. it has become very common amongst almost every section of the society at every level. It is not only prevalent amongst rich who are greedy in spite of possessing enough but also prevalent amongst poor. The fact is that large number of Indians are now involved in corrupt practices in one way or the other, either due to greed or due to so called compulsion. People have gone even to the extent of adulteration of food-stuff such as milk, ghee, spices and also lifesaving medicines. It has to be kept in mind that corruption is not the disease. It is just a presenting symptom of the diseased society.
What is corruption?
As per the Transparency International (TI): Corruption is operationally defined as the misuse of entrusted power for private gain or the use of public office for private gain. In other words, use of official position, rank or status by an office bearer for his/ her own personal benefit. Therefore the corrupt behaviour would include, bribery, fraud, stealing the public resources, partiality/ favouritism, seizure of public assets for private use, etc.
Transparency International (TI) further differentiates between “according to rule” corruption and “against the rule” corruption. Facilitation payments, where a bribe is paid to receive preferential treatment for something that the bribe receiver is required to do by law, constitute the former. The latter, on the other hand, is a bribe paid to obtain service.