Overview

Even though several measures have been taken by the government for eradicating and making the nation corruption-free, the roots of corruption are deeper and stronger. This article describes the various factors that are responsible for causing corruption in India by introducing the scenario of corruption in India. The effects of corruption have been also discussed in the later part of the article. The last section of the article enlightens about the measures taken by the government to mitigate the corruption.

Brief Introduction To Corruption

Corruption occurs when someone entrusted with the position of power, abuses such power or uses the power for private gain. The development of an economy is affected due to corruption as it erodes trust and makes democracy weak. This further leads to inequality, poverty, and social division. Understanding corruption holds importance as it will help in holding the individuals accountable for corruption. Publicly corruption means where a personal benefit is obtained through unlawful means and abusing the public office as well as property.

 

The shortfall in work options with an ever-increasing population in India is a major cause of corruption. A major form of corruption can be seen mostly in politics in India. Another form of corruption is tax evasion practised by people in a higher position or having authority.

Factors Responsible For Corruption

Selfishness and greed have driven people to lack honesty as well as integrity. Thereby leading to corruption. As mentioned earlier, corruption is a significant obstacle in social as well as economic development.
 

Following are the six major factors responsible for corruption in India.
 

  1. Lack of effective management and organisation is one of the major reasons behind the increase in the rate of corruption. The poor or improper functioning in the management and organisation leads to failure in control and coordination in various levels of the organisation. Inefficient appointment in the managerial post, as well as executives, leads to mismanagement. Corruption is the only reason behind such inefficient appointments in management. The government officials are authorised to activities of the public which gives them the monopoly power. These government officials or people in powerful positions take advantage of their position and abuse their powers which leads to corruption.
  2. Lack of Transparency and accountability- Rules and regulations must be observed for conducting fair economic as well as business practises. Following those rules and regulations helps prevent conflicts, keeps greed in check, and such other undesirable consequences. This further ensures that the individuals or organisations follow standards of moral conduct and good behaviour. These rules, regulations, and standards must be transparent, setting out the objectives. 
  3. Lack of values- Values are an integral part of any human being. These values are inculcated in an individual by the environment one has his or her education or the family he or she has grown. Therefore, a significant role is played by the home as well as the educational institution to mould the character of an individual. When an individual lacks moral values it affects his character as well as development in his nature. Its effects can be seen in the actions of individuals of which corruption dishonestly forms a part.
  4. Lack of control and vigilance- Despite several measures being taken by the government in preventing corruption, it breeds into different forms now and then. Prevention of Corruption has been enacted by India. However, the enactment of the statutory provision is not sufficient for curbing corruption. With stringent punishment and vigilance steps can be taken to curb the menace of corruption. Corruption breeds into corruption due to the tolerance of people, lack of outcry by the public against the corruption, and absence of a strong public forum for opposing corruption. 
  5. Elections- Elections form a major reason behind the Indian government’s as well as political parties’ notorious behaviour. These individuals are mostly engaged in corrupt practises during elections instead of alleviating the issue of corruption. Corruption can be seen at its peak during the election in Lok Sabha as well as Vidhan Sabha. Politicians go beyond the length of asking favours where they ultimately choose the path of corruption in order to meet the high costs of the election. Bribery is another form of corruption used by a politician for influencing the public. Mostly the poor and illiterate public are the victims of such influence.
  6. Lack of appropriate remuneration- The government officials resort to the path of corruption due to below-average or low remuneration in a highly inflationary economy. The issue of remuneration is similar in private organisations as well which keeps the axis of corruption high. Lower remunerations drive these officials to use unlawful and illegal means of deriving income. The competition in the market with respect to power, position, jobs, and education keeps the bug of corruption alive in society.

Effects Of Corruption

Corruption not only causes havoc in the society as well as the economy but also hampers the development of the nation leading to unequal opportunities among the public such as an increase in the rate of unemployment, increase in hunger, and poverty loss in the economy, wealth, abuse of power and position. It causes significant distortions as well as inefficiencies. The cost of the business in the private sector is due to an increase in the costs of illegal payments along with the managerial cost of dealing with the authorities. There is also an increase in bribes these days. Hence, corruption causes major damage to society.

 

The rate of political corruption is higher than economic corruption leading to adverse consequences. Corruption also leads to political conflict and armed conflict. The faith of the public in the government is affected due to acts of corruption.

Statutory Provisions For Preventing Corruption

On December 4, 2019, the government of India issued on behalf of the Press Information Bureau stating that the government is committed to ‘Zero Tolerance against Corruption’. The government to comply with this is taking various measures to combat and improve probity as well as accountability of Government institutions.

The Government of India also implemented the Prevention of Corruption Act in 1988 which included the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code. According to the Prevention of Corruption Act, there must be the appointment of special judges by the Central as well as the State government for matters concerning corruption.
 

The Right to Information Act gives an individual the right of asking the government on any issue such as matters relating to tax payments. A Public Information Officer is appointed to provide the relevant information to the citizens on their concerns with the government.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was also set up to prohibit corruption by the government. The CVC body advises and guides the central government on vigilance matters and cases of corruption can also be reported to the CVC. It is also responsible for creating awareness among the citizens regarding the consequences of corruption.

Several other measures for curbing corruption include digitalization of transactions, transparency in the economic system, payment of good remuneration to the employees, and stringent punishment for the individuals involved in corruption and bribery.

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FAQs On Corruption

Corruption can be defined as dishonest behaviour of government officials or people in the position of power or using unlawful means to induce others.
There are various factors responsible for corruption breeding in the society. However, six major factors responsible for the corruption are lack of effective management and organisation, lack of values, transparency and accountability, control and vigilance, elections, and poor remuneration to the employees.
Corruption leads to an imbalance in the economy as well as society. The consequences of corruption include a rise in unemployment, increase in poverty, loss of economic wealth, abuse of power and position. Corruption causes both social as well as political imbalance.
Several measures have been taken by the Government of India such as enacting the Right to Information Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, forming Central Vigilance Commission, the establishment of special courts, and appointing special judges.
When any individual public official is held guilty of committing an offence of corruption shall be punished with a minimum of 3 years extended to maximum 7 years with or without fine under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
One can make an application for bail in a corruption case as well as anticipatory bail in apprehension of being arrested in a corruption case.

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Trishna Kumari

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