Corruption, Desi style!

Corruption, Desi Style!

Ganga Prasad G. Rao
http://myprofile.cos.com/gangar


Many heads have pondered over it, much has been written on it, and many a shelves have been filled investigating it that you'd wonder what I have to add to the phenomenon of corruption - short of suggesting the use of electric eels on the corrupt with divine or better yet, satanic intervention! But seriously, is corruption merely the lubricant that turns the wheels of the economy or is it the proverbial spanner in the wheels of progress? From the farmer who must bribe the bank officer before he signs the loan papers, the widow who must borrow to bribe to receive her husband's death certificate that qualifies her for insurance, the anxious parent in two minds about bribing the Principal to secure his child's admission, to the impatient guy all too willing to part with a few big notes to the license officer to drive away with his new SUV, all are examples of how corruption pervades the daily life of commoners. But much as this corruption is pervasive in our society, should it really be the focus of our attention?

Is it passe to target retail corruption ignoring corruption at the higher levels of society and the economy? Retail corruption will always be. Much as we are warned not to tip public servants, some such as the postman, are so familiar that one is only too willing to share the festivities. And is money for a cup of tea to your garbage handler corruption? Even if it is, is it that pernicious to our economy? Shouldn't corruption be choked in the higher echelons of power? Corruption defined not necessarily by the money that changes hands, corruption that takes many hues unknown to the public – corruption of the ideals, suppression of the intelligent, the moral and the hardworking (and lately, the green and the left-leaning), corruption in the issue of industrial licenses and environmental permits, limits on (or perversely increases in) FDI investments, defence purchases, pollution regulations, rate regulations, minimum support prices, monetary policy, or deals that extend across generations or in to the family of the in-laws (We'll make sure your son-in-law is on the ONGC board). Corruption manifests in other more pernicious forms such as the accommodation of foreign suggestions in the budget and monetary policies (Can't let down the republicans and business houses who supported our stock markets). I suspect even the timing of mid-term elections are negotiable with 'those-who-should-not-be-named'! (Three cheers to the NAM!) If this is not subverting the popular mandate to secure private riches, I don't know what is.

Surely, the motives of corruption at those stratospheric levels is not the upliftment of the masses, much as such 'policies' may be portrayed to be and shown to be welfare enhancing? Should we not prioritize these instances of corruption before castigating the CVC for failure to monitor the various government agencies and bureaucrats for corrupt practices? If favors are granted by the size of the eventual payoff, then shouldn't the CVC turn its attention first to ministers and the senior policymakers who, by their policy pronouncements and regulations change the fortunes of industries? And how does one distinguish between just assignments to the deserving and sham ones meant to reward the wrong so others may follow that path? What worsens the already sordid state of affairs is that our politicians have found a way to share the spoils with all concerned – ruling party cadres, opposition party leaders, trade unions, stock market participants, the greens and the left, perhaps even the press. Who else but our politicians are capable of committing such a leap of faith – transforming a patently illegal act in to what economists term 'pareto superior' – a 'win-win' proposition for all but the true Gandhian. (And true Gandhians will always take a hit for the good of the nation!) But don't be fooled for a moment. If you are wondering whether anyone pays at all, just look around. Your child will pay dearly every time he drinks milk or switches the power on. Your grandson may be burdened at birth with mortgage loans to pay off. Your great grandchild is already sold to the devil!

'Punarjanma' anyone?