Checking Corruption

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The social audit carried out by YouthNet recently in Kiphire district under the Right to Information Act (RTI) has thrown up quite a number of anomalies. This is not surprising because it is a fact that the government system is in disarray. The RTI audit in Kiphire has focused on education and health sector—both vital areas of social development. Such initiative by YouthNet is a step in the right direction and must be encouraged so that corrective measures can be put in place especially with regard to the functioning of our public service utilities. As brought out by the social audit exercise, our government system is marked by pilferage of goods or siphoning of funds besides other illegality such as forgery, bogus appointments, ghost employees etc. Such corrupt practice has an adverse impact on government run programmes. The end result is that fruits of development do not percolate down to the common people. Fund utilization and achievements remain only on paper and in reality it is all empty. The public cannot escape blame either. For instance it was revealed during the social audit that members of the Village Education Committees would come to collect the food materials and sell it off from Kiphire town itself. Such kind of illegal practice being carried out by the so called ‘enlightened’ public leaders is contributing to the large scale corruption taking place in our society and State. It is not just the politicians or bureaucrats who are involved in corruption. While a corrupt system no doubt exists, the public cannot absolve itself of blame themselves.

As far as Nagaland goes, the departments that make up the State machinery and those who run them will have to wake up from their lethargic functioning. Likewise the ruling government in the State should also not always ridicule the facts brought out by the Opposition. For instance, the government cannot run from the naked truth that irregularity exists with regard to public food supplies. The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has asked the Chief Minister, who is also looking after Food & Civil Supplies, to explain the diversion of Public Distribution (PDS) rice for sale in the open market. Since the issue is a matter of public importance, the concerned authorities should give proper explanation on the points raised by the Congress. It is a known fact that PDS commodities continue to be generously doled out to ‘ghosts’ or people with bogus names. The Chief Minister should ensure that the PDS is made transparent and efficient. Whether it is rice, sugar or kerosene, the poorer section of society must get its due share of their entitlement. At the end of the day, the problem of corruption will have to be fought at various levels and through a multi-pronged approach. Further, one should not be under the illusion that the problem will be solved over night or that our society will be completely healed from the ills of corruption. As mentioned, tackling corruption will require a concerted effort of all stake holders. If we are able to at least control corruption to some extent, we are on the right track. Public awareness, education and in turn good governance are required to put a check on the evils of corruption.