Corruption remains our Achilles Heel. Indian vigilance departments should now start employing innovative ground-level Anti-Corruption Tactics to reduce the incidence of this malaise
The whole idea of Zero Tolerance Policy introduced by the government apparently is falling flat. Initiatives like Whistle Blowers Bill, Right to Information Act, Action Plan on Vigilance, transparency in tendering and contracting, e-Governance and similar other policies are being dodged easily.
Even the most tested and tried concept of ombudsmen (sometimes called Chief Vigilance Officers) has not been enacted till now. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set up in January 1966 under Morarji Desai recommended a two-tier machinery – a Lokpal at the Centre and one Lokayukta each at the State level for redressal of people’s grievances. That remains a recommendation even after 44 years. As per late Prof. C. K. Prahalad, the cost of corruption to India till now has been Rs.2.5 trillion.
India now needs radical ground level tactics to curb corruption. Interestingly, in Philippines, where corruption among customs officials is quite high, the government has innovatively made them work on drawer-less tables under closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to fight the so-called “open drawer” racket. Similarly, in Nepal, airport officials are given trousers with no pockets. In US, Obama – when he was senator – innovated the compulsory usage of cameras in police cars in Illinois.
Should India employ similar tactics? Of course, and more. The vigilance commission should not simply track corruption but should attempt to entrap government officials by clandestinely offering bribes. Those who fall for such traps; arrest them. Over time, even corrupt government officials would stop accepting bribes believing an offer could well be a vigilance investigation in progress.
Even the most tested and tried concept of ombudsmen (sometimes called Chief Vigilance Officers) has not been enacted till now. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set up in January 1966 under Morarji Desai recommended a two-tier machinery – a Lokpal at the Centre and one Lokayukta each at the State level for redressal of people’s grievances. That remains a recommendation even after 44 years. As per late Prof. C. K. Prahalad, the cost of corruption to India till now has been Rs.2.5 trillion.
India now needs radical ground level tactics to curb corruption. Interestingly, in Philippines, where corruption among customs officials is quite high, the government has innovatively made them work on drawer-less tables under closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to fight the so-called “open drawer” racket. Similarly, in Nepal, airport officials are given trousers with no pockets. In US, Obama – when he was senator – innovated the compulsory usage of cameras in police cars in Illinois.
Should India employ similar tactics? Of course, and more. The vigilance commission should not simply track corruption but should attempt to entrap government officials by clandestinely offering bribes. Those who fall for such traps; arrest them. Over time, even corrupt government officials would stop accepting bribes believing an offer could well be a vigilance investigation in progress.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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