Demoralizing anti-corruption crusade
- Imphal Times Editorial :: June 23 2020 -

It is now no rumours, there are video evidences of a central government employee asking money for ‘chai pani’ that too to an advocate in return for a service that he has been paid by the peoples’ money.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s war on corruption, which inspired the citizen of Manipur finally seems to have lost faith in him as those fighting against corruption today face dead threat from persons who claimed to be party of those involved in corruption.

Not only that those inspired by the chief minister to stand up against corruption, fails to get protection from the state authority by taking up action against those intimidating the whistle blowers of the corrupt practice of some officials, but are being victimized by arresting them on charges which the court finds it as unfounded allegations.

Transparency - a global movement with the vision to free the world of corruption and having chapters in more than 100 countries leading the fight against corruption describes ‘Corruption’ as the abuse of power for private gain. It is a global phenomenon and is pervasive in almost every society the world over.

Corruption, especially in a state such as ours where strife and unrest is a part of our everyday life, is a consequence of the parasitic nexus between Bureaucrats, politicians and criminals.

Its reach and chronicity can perhaps be gauged by the very fact that at one time, bribe was paid for getting wrong things done but now bribe is being paid for getting right things done at right time.

With yesterday event at which an advocate who had exposed the corrupt practice of an government official arrested on counter charge by leaving aside the complaint lodged by the advocate for death threat, the big question is: Is it possible to contain corruption in our society?

To fully answer the question, it would be crucial to understand certain perceptions and myths such as: Corruption is a way of life and nothing can be done about it, or that only people from underdeveloped or developing countries are prone to corruption.

This is being stated with the irresponsive nature of the state machineries.

Well, they have limitation to encroach at a central office but the law says that a citizen should be protected from death threat even if the person is a central government employee as it is now a law and order problem which is a state subject.