Dignified Corruption
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 05, 2014 -

The Parliament and State Assembly have passed the Lokpal Bill and Lokayukta Bill respectively in an attempt to make the administration free from corruption.

The Lokpal Bill will pave the way for establishment of an ombudsman to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials, including the Prime Minister, but with some safeguards.

On the other hand, the Lokayukta Bill is to do with the establishment of an ombudsman at the state level encompassing the Chief Minister.

Notably, many states have already established the Lokayukta.

Maharashtra is the first state to establish the Lokayukta in 1971.

The main concern over such landmark legislation is how effective the widespread corruption can be contained.

A US Congress-mandated report even highlighted widespread corruption in India.

At the national scenario, at least some of the corrupt Ministers and officials have been indicted.

But so far, there is no indictment of Ministers and officials on corruption charges in the State.

Does it imply that the State administration is transparent with no corruption at all?

The implication will obviously be a big "No".

Corruption among the State administrators is an open secret. In fact, corruption is in its "dignified status".

People proudly exclaim offering bribes to Ministers and officials for jobs, contracts etc. There is neither hesitation nor repentance for the act.

Corruption itself has become socially acceptable. Some may consider it as another way of earning livelihood by the Ministers and officials.

A simple analysis will unearth the level of corruption in the State. The assets owned by the Government employees right from the peon to senior bureaucrats of some major departments will obviously throw light to their corrupt practices.

It is quite intriguing for some mid-level officers owning big mansions, which they could not have built with their monthly salaries put altogether even for a century.

These are just few petty things. The common people out here are questioning about the efficiency of CBI and IT officials in the State.

They say that Ministers and officials in other states have been arrested and prosecuted on corruption charges, but Manipur seems to be enjoying immunity to such offences.

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa has been indicted by the Lokayukta. Many national leaders are now languishing in jail. But, the people are worried if Lokayukta will be toothless in the State.

Besides the Lokayukta, bodies like Vigilance Commission could be efficient in curbing corruption in the State.

In the recent report of Manipur State Vigilance Commission, five women cops of Manipur Police Department were found appointed on fake sports certificates besides one teacher in Education Department on forged documents.

More than 15 officials (both serving and retired) were also found guilty of withdrawing money from the State's exchequer fraudulently.

The issue of "fake appointment" is very serious.

The recruiting officers should be given strictest penalty.

However, it is not known if the erring officials will be punished by the authorities or not.

If the corrupt officials go unpunished, then corruption will forever be dignified in the State no matter what anti-graft legislation comes into effect.