CORRUPTION – MEANING, PRACTICE & MEASURES

In this article you will learn about the concept of corruption, its meaning and practice, and measures.

 

Corruption is a widespread phenomenon in today's public life. In the words of Indira Gandhi, "Corruption is a global phenomenon". Mr. T.N. Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, opined that every patch of Indian society has become corrupt.

 

Meaning of Corruption: -

 

By corruption is meant bribery, nepotism, misuse of public money for private gains and such other offenses. Corruption arises from moral deterioration and greediness of man.

 

Practice of Corruption: -

 

Corruption is a big problem in several countries in the world. Indian could not remain isolated with such evil. The problem is becoming grave day by day. It breads in the society in the open and concealed forms. It is born out of the unholy wedlock between the bribe-giver and bribe taker. Apart from the offer of money for the immediate gains, corruption involves offer and reward at a later date, generally in the indirect form. In India, some ministers are also facing trials for corrupt practices in big deals. Corruption at high levels of political leadership leads to corruption in the bureaucracy and other wings of the administration like, the police or the Public Works Department. It spreads from top to bottom.

 

Measures to check Corruption: -

 

The law of the land has enough provisions to deal with and to check the menace of corruption. The anticorruption agencies, such as the vigilance commissions, anticorruption departments, CBI, etc. are constituted to look into and trap the bribe-takers. Recently some strong protests are also being made by some group of general people in a democratic way, viz., - hunger strike organized by the social activist Anna Hazare, by the Yoga Guru Ramdev, etc. to eradicate corruption.

 

Conclusion: -

 

Corruption is a serious blow to the moral standards. The existing provisions of law do not work well in checking the menace. To remove or eradicate such problem, education in the real sense and mass revolution against the corruption is necessary. The lack of education and illiteracy is the main cause of spreading corruption. Moral education will bring a new ray of pious life among the children and consciousness amongst the people in general, and the society will be helpful in this respect. To quote Professor Galbraith,

 

"There is nothing wrong with Indian laws, nothing wrong with its economy, or with its political and judicial institutions, what ails India is its moral poverty."