Tracing the corrupt to the graves
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 31, 2012 -

Ningombam Pramod from the desk

Today, the vice of corruption has become a major cause of concern in both developed and developing nations. In some nations, it has become extremely cancerous, posing serious threat to the overall economic growth. Corruption in Indian society has prevailed since time immemorial in one form or the other.

The basic inception of corruption started with our opportunistic leaders who have already done greater damage to our nation. People who work on right principles are unrecognized and considered to be foolish in modern society.

Manipur is no exception to this vice and it cannot be spared, wherever and whenever, corruption is being discussed. Corruption has become a catchword in every public places in Manipur today so much so that the issue of corruption has become a serious socio-economic malady.

In fact, with highest number of corruption cases registered, Manipur has gained the dubious distinction of being the second most corrupt state in the North East, according to the latest report of National Crime Record Bureau. As such, eliminating corruption is emerging as the foremost wish of the people in this tiny-hill-locked state.

Earlier, bribes were paid for getting wrong things done, but now bribes have to be paid for getting the right things done. Furthermore, with most of the so-called honourable public leaders dripping their hands in it, to indulge in corruption has become something respectable in Manipur today.

Though the level of corruption in the State is quite high, yet the people are not bold enough to openly admit to giving bribe for something done. And at the same time no scams or scandals have ever rocked the state so far.

This may be because of the system we live in; we tend to prefer it this way, but it is a trend which would be of no good to us as individuals and to the society as a whole.

However, considering the level of corruption in the state, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh tabled the Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2011 on the last day of the 9th State Assembly and sought the consent of the Members to pass the Bill with a vision to check corruption in public offices of the State.

Other political parties of the state including CPI, CPI (M), Forward Bloc and RSP too had launched a week-long democratic movement against corruption and other social ills afflicting Manipur.

These political parties have called for adoption of an effective Lokpal legislation, a national judicial commission to curb corruption in the judiciary and action against corruption by big businessmen in connivance with politicians.

Interestingly, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti Corruption Branch (ACB), Imphal, after investigation into the Rs 23 lakhs scandal in RIMS, has implicated 11 employees in a case of forgery and manipulating the case receipts amounting to Rs 23 lakhs during the period from March 2007 to April 2009.

The charge hearing of the case has been fixed on April 3 next. Here, we may recall the ruling of Supreme Court which says that action against a corrupt government employee can be taken even after his/her retirement.

This means that disciplinary proceedings initiated against central and state government officials would continue even after their retirement and if found guilty of grave misconduct, there can be cut in their pension under relevant Pension Rules.

So, there is no escape for corrupt officials. The ruling would enable the investigators to go after the corrupt officials even to their graves. No matter how meager the amount may be, no government officials would be spared according to the ruling.

Let this ruling be the watchdog over corruption and usher in an era where the vice of corruption is far remove away from human society.