Onus on chief minister to stop corruption
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 12, 2022 -

While spirited performances by sportspersons at different level of competitions and achievements by art and cultural exponents remain the main contributory factors for enhancing the profile of Manipur, it's an undeniable fact that the state has been synonymous with corruption, unpredictable law and order and drug smuggling/abuse menace situation for the past many decades.

Sportspersons and cultural enthusiasts don't need much political or bureaucratic patronage as the honours or awards they win are purely based on performances in the transparent platform whereas in many other sectors involving tougher competition, corruption and nepotism often decide the achiever.

Thus, whenever someone from among the political class vows to eradicate the malaise of corruption from the society then the people generally take such assertions with a pinch of salt.

That corruption has been rampant in Manipur could be comprehended from speeches during the campaigning of the just concluded assembly election, as well as in the past many elections, when rookie as well as seasoned politicians and political parties all took the vow to work sincerely for the development of the state and welfare of its people but blended their election commentaries with charges and counter-charges on corruption.

For instance, BJP campaigners accused the then Congress government of taking 10 per cent cuts on every financial transaction and processing of important files as the latter countered with allegations that its successors have institutionalised corruption. Notably, neither the accusers from both sides could place in the public domain documentary proof of their claims nor any of the politicians put behind bars.

Had such charges against the government been levelled by commoners then it's obvious that the administration would swing into action and demand hard evidences to substantiate the allegations, failing which serving time in jail could be guaranteed.

Nevertheless, it's never too late, especially for the ruling entity, to initiate concrete steps for curbing corrupt practice as the goal is attainable if the dressing down starts from the top.

As such, when someone like the chief minister himself affirms that there will be no corruption under the present government in any recruitment process and that all recruitments will be conducted only on merit basis then it definitely gives hope to the general population that justice would be done to the hardworking and meritorious citizens.

As chief minister N Biren pledged to fight corruption during an event of students of Manipur University on Sunday, the declaration is all the more significant for one of the purposes of pursuing higher studies is to compete fairly to secure jobs and live life comfortably.

As often stated by the chief minister, the Anti-Corruption Cell of the government has been strengthened with an IGP ranked officer overseeing its operations.

While only time will tell how effective the cell would be in total containment of the chronic ills of corruption, the onus would be on the chief minister to cleanse the system by taking prompt punitive measures, for preventing nepotism and favouritism shall have to begin from the top rather than penalising those who seek the now familiar tips as file processing fee.