संगठित भ्रष्टाचार कीजिए और वाही-वाही लूटिये

भ्रष्टाचार दो शब्दों से मिल कर बना है भ्रष्ट और आचार, अर्थात एक ऐसा व्यक्ति जिस का आचरण भ्रष्ट है.
आचरण का अर्थ है - काम, व्यवहार, आचार-विचार, कार्यवाही, चाल-चलन, चरित्र, ढंग, वर्ताव, चाल-ढाल.
भ्रष्ट का अर्थ है - चरित्रहीन, लम्पट, कुकर्मी, दुष्ट, पथ भ्रष्ट, अश्लील, कुत्सित, पतित, नीच, नियमों का अनुशरण न करने वाला, खोटा, दुश्चरित्र, रिश्वतखोर, घूस लेने-देने वाला.
भ्रष्टाचार का अर्थ सिर्फ पैसों का आदान-प्रदान या घूस लेना या देना नहीं है. चरित्रहीनता , कुकर्म करना, अश्लीलता, नियमों का अनुशरण न करना, दूसरों का हक़ छीनना, चुगली करना, अपने फायदे के लिए झूट बोलना, दूसरों को नुकसान पह्नुचाने के लिए झूट बोलना, अपने पद और अधिकारों का दुरूपयोग करना, अपने कर्तव्य का सही तरह से पालन न करना, यह सब भ्रष्टाचार के ही रूप हैं.
सामान्य रूप में घूस लेने या देने को ही भ्रष्टाचार की संज्ञा दी जाती है. पद और अधिकारों का दुरूपयोग भी बराबर का भ्रष्टाचार है. अधिकाँश अवसरों पर भ्रष्टाचार यहीं से शुरू होता है पर उसका उद्देश्य घूस लेना ही होता है. जब घूस मिल जाता है तब नियमों का पालन करके या उल्लंघन करके घूस देने वाले को फायदा पहुंचा दिया जाता है. वर्ना वह व्यक्ति इधर से उधर भटकता रहता है, उसे हर तरह से तंग किया जाता है, कहीं उसकी सुनवाई नहीं होती, उसे यह भी समझाया जाता है कि अगर ऊपर जाओगे तो और अधिक घूस देना पड़ेगा. यह एक सच्चाई भी है, जितना बड़ा अफसर या नेता होता है, वह उतना ही ज्यादा घूस लेता है. आखिरकार पद और अधिकारों का भी तो कोई मूल्य है. चपरासी पांच रूपए घूस लेता है, क्लर्क पचास रूपए लेता है, मेनेजर पांच सौ लेता है.
बैसे आज कल संगठित भ्रष्टाचार पर ज्यादा जोर दिया जा रहा है. इसमें पकड़े जाने का खतरा कम होता है. पूरी संगठित भ्रष्टाचार की चैन में कोई न कोई प्रभावशाली व्यक्ति होता ही है जिस के प्रभाव से चैन के सब सदस्य सुरक्षित रहते हैं. अक्सर इस चैन में जांच एजेंसियां और अदालतें भी शामिल होती हैं. अंत में सारे भ्रष्टाचारी बच जाते हैं और शिकायतकर्ता के खिलाफ कार्यवाही हो जाती है, या किसी को स्केपगोट बना कर दण्डित कर दिया जाता है और बड़ी गोटों को बचा लिया जाता है.
कामनवेल्थ खेलों में हुआ भ्रष्टाचार संगठित भ्रष्टाचार का एक ज्वलंत उदाहरण है. भ्रष्टाचार हुआ है यह सब जानते हैं, सरकार भी जानती है, अब तो सारा विश्व जान गया है. पर क्या हो रहा है? देश की प्रतिष्टा का नारा लगा कर सब को चुप करा दिया गया है. "खेलों के बाद कार्यवाही करेंगे", यह खोखला वादा किया गया है. सब जानते हैं कि खेल हो जाने के बाद कुछ नहीं होने वाला. बड़े-बड़े लोग इस में शामिल हैं. सांप को निकल जाने दिया जा रहा है, बाद में बस लकीर पीटी जाएगी.
संगठित भ्रष्टाचार में यह बहुत बड़ा फायदा है. भ्रष्टाचार की एक लम्बी चैन बनाइये, उसमें कुछ प्रभावशाली व्यक्तियों को शामिल कर लीजिये, फिर जम कर भ्रष्टाचार कीजिए, कोई आपका कुछ नहीं बिगड़ सकता, ऊपर वाले आपको हर संकट से बचा लेंगे.
जय हो संगठित भ्रष्टाचार की, जय हो संगठित भ्रष्टाचारियों की.

Corrupt will never act against corruption

Can corrupt be expected to act against corruption? Certainly not the police. It is so corrupt that it can never act against corruption. There is a saying - chor-chor mausere bhai, meaning all thieves are cousins. Some journalists carried out a sting operation to expose corruption of MPs. The corrupt MPs were expelled from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Police registered a case against the journalists. Court says that it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to highlight corruption wherever he/she finds it. Police says that it is a serious crime to highlight the corruption of those in power.

Court says that police seem to have acted again as "his masters voice" of persons in power when it registered FIR only against the middlemen and journalists and one or two other persons sparing large number of MPs whose names figured in the tapes.

It is not surprising that a large number of citizens are afraid of highlighting corruption.

Corruption manifests itself in such forms

Indian Government has gone in to denial mode. Being encouraged by this, Organizing Committee of CW Games has also gone in to denial mode. They are not ready to admit that there are problems, problems of large-scale organized corruption, incompetence, mismanagement, inefficioency and what not.

Govt may deny it but corruption has manifested itself in to filthy flats in Games Village, collapse of footbridge at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, false ceiling, chaos on roads, etc. Indian media was asked not to report all this, as Govt said that this negative publicity will lower the prestige og India. But now the world is seeing through the eyes of BBC and their own delegated who have arrived in games village. Click on the images to see the condition of games flates and what NZ Chief of Mission has to say about it.

On Facebook, a person has written - भ्रष्टाचार फूट-फूट कर बाहर आ रहा है. How right he is!

Yesterday I went to Connaught Place and was shocked to see its condition. What have they done to it? Condition of CP was much better before they started to beautify it. But it had to be done. The money will come in their pockets when some work is undertaken. Now nobody is bothered. It has been left like this. बस लीपा-पोती हो रही है.

Role of CVO in fighting corruption

In the entire chain of registering, investigating and decision making in corruption complaints, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) is the most important link after Disciplinary Authority, but it is also the weakest link. Officers in various government organizations exploit the tool of ‘deputation’ to avoid out-of-station transfers and secure appointments in those organizations where CVC-sponsored CVOs are appointed.

It is very difficult to believe that a person who has manipulated his own appointment as CVO will be an honest investigator in corruption cases. Manipulation in India does not come free. It needs both money and contacts at the right places. A CVO once commented that this is a life-time chance in his service life, and he will be a fool if he does not take advantage of it. He said that he has to recover the money he has spent on securing this appointment. I told him that I am totally against these outsider CVOs as they will be putting their own interest over the interest of the organization. Seeing the performance of successive CVOs in India's National Standards Body, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), I have been proved right.

It is required to provide solutions to the problems, but problems should not be created in the name of providing solutions. Successive CVOs in BIS have created vigilance problems to prove that they are needed and then to assert their authority. If today, BIS is mired in neck-deep corruption then it is because of these outsider CVOs. I remember writing in one issue of Contact (BIS Officers Association Journal) that a Police Station has been opened in BIS.

The case of Ms Harjot Kaur, IAS CVO in BIS is fresh in mind. She openly threatened (in presence of DG) members of BIS Employees Union. She organized illegal raids on some Mumbai licensees to teach lesson to a WRO officer. Complaints were lodged against her. What action has been taken on these complaints has not been informed to the complainants (BISEU and me). She suddenly went on long leave and had not returned till date.

In my comments sent to CVC on draft NACS, I have emphasized on this point. I have commented that CVC should put its own house in order and make CVOs accountable, so that they do not become a link in organized corruption chain in the organization. They should effectively and efficiently fight against corruption as third party and should not themselves become part of the corruption.

In case of Vinod Dhamija, another CVO in BIS, he was even made head of some departments of BIS. He created his own interest group in BIS and took all advantages. CVOs in BIS have manipulated number of cadre officers to be appointed in vigilance department in HQ and also in some RO/BO. It has depleted the strength of cadre and made these officers ineligible for promotions under FCS. Then CVO and DG violated provisions of FCS to get them promoted. My complaints are there but no action has been taken so far on these violations. All this puts a serious doubt on the honesty and integrity of DA, CVO and the officers who have worked in, or working in vigilance activity or have been illegally promoted.

To achieve the target of zero percent corruption in BIS, the pre-requisite is that BIS has honest, impartial and committed CVO and other officers in vigilance department. The purpose should not be to punish people but to achieve zero corruption in BIS. The initiative should come from the top. Regular and effective monitoring and review is needed in all work areas of the organization. Feedback from any source should be welcome and action be initiated. Who gives the feedback is not important, but to act on it is important.

Let CVOs prove their credentials.

Role of Citizens in fighting Corruption

Draft National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) is based on citizens’ active participation. It states that success in the battle against corruption hinges upon citizen participation in ushering in transparency and accountability. Citizens have a tremendous potential to participate directly and contribute at bringing about change using tools, such as:

a) moral appeals,
b) exposure and embarrassment,
c) appeals to pride,
d) standing up and playing a key role in exposing wrong doing and non compliances.

All citizens of India should consider themselves under obligation to immediately report all corrupt practices being perpetrated, to actively take part in preventative measures against corruption, and raising awareness on corruption. To discharge this obligation they can use websites, blogs and by use RTI Act to get information about corruption and pass on to concerned authorities.

I know that, in amny organizations, above four tools are not proved very effective. Organized corruption in these organizations has become so deep rooted that people involved in corruption are not much bothered by moral appeals, exposure, embarassment and appeals to pride. Exposing wrong doing and non compliances also do not made much effect as corruption is being shielded by top management and investigating-prosecuting agencies.

It is a continued war against organized corruption. The day a small dent is made in the shield, the entire organized corruption apparatus will come down tumbling. In some organizations, small cracks have been made which, with time, will become more and more visible, and then the war will be won. Let us keep fighting corruption. That day will sure come.

Fighting corruption using RTI

Comments on National Anti-Corruption Strategy

I have submitted following comments on Draft National Anti-Corruption Strategy:

"NACS has distinguished corruption between petty and grand corruption. I believe that we should not use such terms for corruption. Corruption is corruption. Moreover using the term ‘grand’ for corruption gives respectability to corruption and glorifies corruption. I am sure that is not the intention of NACS.

It will be better to define corruption based on the methodology, as ‘unorganized corruption’ and ‘organized corruption’. Unorganized corruption will include petty corruption. Political and administrative corruption will come under organized corruption. Whereas people involved in unorganized corruption are exposed, caught and punished, the people involved in organized corruption may be exposed, may also be caught but hardly punished. The corruption loop in unorganized corruption is very short mostly revolving around the accused person, but in organized corruption the corruption loop is very large and includes the top and even the investigating and prosecuting persons or agencies.

Presently, the will is lacking to attack organized corruption. Under public and media pressure, organized corruption is sometimes investigated but every attempt is made to dilute it or give the accused persons a clean chit. I have taken up the ‘issue of attacking organized corruption’ with successive CVCs but did not get any response.

To quote from draft NACS – “Acceptance of bribe by the top management makes the subordinates follow the leader”. This in reality is happening in majority of organizations. Top management in such organizations provides total protection to corrupt subordinates, and CVOs posted in that organization also form a link in organized corruption chain (OCC).

The two main causes of administrative corruption as identified by draft NACS are: (a) inability of the civil servants to resist extraneous influences; and (b) active collusion. The active collusion of top with CVO also ensures the protection of CVC, which intentionally or un-intentionally becomes a link in OCC.

A citizen (includes a whistleblower) sends complaints about corruption to CVO but the complaints are not acknowledged and registered if these are against a person or persons belonging to OCC. Frustrated citizen complains to CVC. CVC after a long time sends a stock reply – “Your complaint has been duly examined in the commission and having regard to the nature of issues raised therein, the same has been forwarded to (Name) CVO of (Name) the organization for necessary action. As such, while no further report is required to be sent to the commission, the authorities concerned are required to look into and take such action as deemed fit.”

CVC sends back the complaint to the same CVO who had not taken any action earlier. Why would he take action now when he is not even asked to inform CVC about the action he has taken on the complaint? The result – nothing happens to the accused person(s) being the part of OCC, but the person who had made the complaint is made to suffer.

This is essential that CVC should put its own house in order and make its CVOs accountable. CVO is the most important link in fighting corruption, but it is also the weakest link. Most of the CVOs come on deputation to avoid out-of-station transfer. This they manage through any means. They willingly join the OCC and become an important link in shielding person(s) belonging to OCC.

My comments are based on my personal experience over a long period of time. NACS should incorporate a strategy for fighting Organized Corruption at an appropriate place."

National Anti-Corruption Strategy

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has posted a draft document on its website inviting comments on National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Last date of submitting comments is 20 September 2010. CLICK to read the draft and summary.

As per Preface – “The National Anti-Corruption Strategy represents a blue print for commitment and action by the various stakeholders to the governance process. It aims at systematic and conscious reshaping of the country’s national integrity system. The strategy recommends a set of action to be taken by the government and a set of action by the political entities, judiciary, media, citizens, private sector and civil society organizations. To ensure that the strategy does not remain a mere document, it is envisaged to ensure its effective implementation by developing suitable parameters for evaluating and monitoring the progress of its implementation. The CVC would review the progress on an annual basis and submit a report to the Parliament.”

Chapter VIII deals with the role of citizens in anti-corruption. Success in the battle against corruption hinges upon citizen participation in ushering in transparency and accountability. Citizens have a tremendous potential to participate directly and contribute at bringing about change using tools such as moral appeals, exposure and embarrassment, appeals to pride, standing and responsibility besides standing up and playing a key role in exposing wrong doing and non compliances.

As a citizen (grahak of services) and as a stakeholder to the governance process, I agree with this strategy. I am studying the document and will submit my comments. I will also post my comments on this blog.

My request is to all citizens to read and comment on this document, as the strategy and its effective and efficient implementation will ultimately help them.

सीवीसी, भ्रष्टाचार और नागरिक

फोटो पर क्लिक करें और यह खबर पढ़ें. सरकार के एक मंत्री का कहना है कि जो सरकारी बाबू अपने कार्यकाल में प्रभावशाली भूमिका निभा सकते थे पर निभा नहीं निभा पाए वह सेवा-निवृत्त होने के बाद संत हो जाते हैं. मंत्रीजी ने नाम तो नहीं लिया पर लगता है कि उनका ईशारा अभी-अभी सेवा-निवृत्त हुए केन्द्रीय सतर्कता आयुक्त श्री प्रत्यूष सिन्हा की तरफ है. इन सरकारी बाबू ने सेवा-निवृत्त होने के बाद शायद यह कहा कि एक तिहाई भारतीय जबदस्त भ्रष्टाचारी हैं, और आधे भारतीय भ्रष्टाचार की लक्ष्मण रेखा पार कर चुके या करने वाले हैं.

दिल्ली वालों के दिल का दर्द

आखिरकार दिल्ली वालों के दिल का दर्द जुबान पर आ ही गया. जनता के २८,००० करोड़ रूपए फूंक दिए, लूट लिए, पर शर्म नहीं आई. इस पैसे से कितने ग़रीबों की जिंदगी सुधर सकती थी. पर इन भ्रष्ट लोगों को तो अपनी सुधरी जिंदगी और ज्यादा सुधारनी थी. मजदूरों से जानवरों की तरह काम कराया और खुद ऐयाशी की और कर रहे हैं और करेंगे.