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India ranks 83rd in the corruption perception index and most members of the Indian bureaucracy and politicians are so corrupt they do not hesitate to take money, even from poorest of the poor and the vulnerable sections of society.

The results of the survey conducted by Transparency India International have established this beyond doubt. The organisation has come out with the shocking revelation that people below the poverty line paid Rs 883 crore to bureaucrats between November 2007 and January 2008 to get basic government services that are the legitimate right of all citizens. Taking bribes for such services is condemnable and intolerable. Poor people have to pay more for everything now, with the price rise and inflation, and their purchasing power has fallen sharply.

Payment for each and every service, including medical treatment in government hospitals and getting ration cards, etc., has further reduced their purchasing power.

The goal of the government is inclusive growth. But by their acts of corruption bureaucrats and politicians are achieving exclusive growth for themselves to the utter exclusion of the poor from the growth process. The process of inclusion in respect of corruption has now covered judges as well. Corruption in judiciary has brought about complete denial of justice to the poor.

Unless we strengthen enforcement of law including anti-corruption law and give adequate punishment to the corrupt regardless of their position or clout we can not reduce corruption.

Using the Right to Information Act and instituting a system of external accountability, the Government must take firm action against the corrupt.

K. K. Ammannaya Udupi

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