Long Live Corruption

In a recent article in Biz Std. (13th Jan., ’07, Column - Al Fresco), I read about a survey on corruption. It estimates that a total of 21,068 crore is paid as bribe yearly in India. What ….? Just 21,068 crore. That’s just about 210 bugs per head. This figure I feel is grossly underestimated. For purpose of clarity, I personally classify the bribes as Personal bribes and Corporate Bribes, with the latter being a major contributor to the overall corruption. However, thanks to ingenuous financial acumen of Indians (self can be contacted personally for such ideas !!!), the bribes paid by Corporate India rarely make it to the news. As someone, who has been a part of the infrastructure sector for nearly 4 years now, I can say with utmost conviction, that the figures quoted in the survey are just the tip of an iceberg. As the chain extends from the janitor to the top-notch chairperson, it has become an “official” way of life, a custom to be religiously followed for getting things done, a “jugad” that is necessary to carry on and sustain self in the business. For the ideal (idle) minded, who dismissed the movie “ Corporate” as “just a film”, I can assure you, the “real”world is a lot more murkier than presented on the reel. However, most of us associate bribes and corruption with Government organizations. I do not deny the fact, however, this incurable disease has recently made its way even into private sector, although on a lesser scale. The “Police” services ? topped the charts in the survey as most corrupt, I think, probably because the common man has far less dealings with the Defence sector, dealing with whom, at times makes one think of Police as “very reasonable”. India’s rank as the third most corrupt country on the globe (was it HDI survey ?), I believe, has inspired many babus and netas to fight hard for the attaining the pole position.

Corruption, has become so ingrained in our customs that its high time, we legalize it. The Railways department through its “Tatkal reservations” and the passport offices through their “Urgent Passport” have already taken the lead in doing so. The additional money, which one required to pay to avail the benefit of getting things quickly, is now legalized, and money goes to Governments coffers for other (mis)use. The only seemingly benefit in such schemes is the elimination of “black money” in the process. The scheme introduced by PC and his finance ministry few years back for converting your black money to white, just by declaring it and paying 1/3rd of the amount, aimed at just the same. Did you say “ What about ethics…..hmmmm ..Damn it !!!” Lets legalize our bribe process across all sectors. How about, 1 Lac for a Class I govt. job, 2 lakh for selling adulterated foodstuff, 10 % for financial frauds, 25 % for theft, 3 lakhs for rape and 5 lakhs for murder. Then we shall truly become a modern and civilized society. Also, the burden on judiciary will reduce, sunny paji won’t shout “Tarikh pe Tarikh”, and we shall enter an utopian era. Long Live India…Long live corruption !