Corruption has become a way of life

SamayLive; 16 Oct 2010

Corruption is a major concern in India and it has put brake in the progress of the country.

Today from politicians to government officials, all seem indulged in corruption. Corruption is so wide spread in our life that it seems impossible to eliminate it and even more difficult to punish the wrong doer.

Every conduct which defies discipline, violates social propriety and is not transparent come under the purview of corruption.

Recently the Supreme Court made a comment that no work in the country is done without money. Moreover, the court also said with a pinch of salt that "Why the government does not legitimate corruption, in which bribe money could be fixed for each job."

The former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee expressed concern over corruption. He observed once that corruption has penetrated our life so much that it has become now a norm than an exception.

While in 1988 the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi felt that Rs 100 leaves Delhi in the name of development but only a rupee reach the target. After 22 years, same is the view of Rahul Gandhi.

According to a survey, an amount equal to half of the GDP goes in the deep pocket of corruption.

The people of the nation also feel that no work can be done without corruption.

Some people tried to change this system, but they had to pay it with their life. Manjunath, Satyendra Dubey, Amit Jethwa, Satish

Shetty, are a few names who tried to change the system but had to give their lives.

Right to Information Bill

The parliament passed the Right to Information Bill (RTI) in 2005, in which the average Indian can get right to question the government, inspect their files, take copies of government documents and also to inspect government works.

RTI has become effective weapon against corruption, but knowledgeable do not consider it very effective.

In fact, the section 4 of RTI Act is still not being followed. The provision under this section says that the government departments should provide all information on their website. But, it is not being implemented.

Corruption has made the court upset on many occasions, the government helpless on countless times and social workers, a frustrated lot quite often. The government fails to set example by awarding such punishment to the guilty that others shudder to repeat the act.