Recently, in our skepticism and fervor to criticize, a trend has emerged – to blame the citizens for growth of corruption as almost all of us have at some point or the other we have given in to bribing one or the other element in huge set up of public administration machinery.
But there is a fundamental mistake in looking at things from this perspective. It is like missing the trees for the woods!
All through the era of “License & Permit Raj”, Government bred, knowingly as well as unknowingly, a system where there was least transparency and high amount of bureaucracy! So even if you rightfully and legally qualify for something, you are denied the same until the situation reaches to the point of your desperation and frustration. Then, you arrive at the conclusion, after years of struggle that nothing but paying bribe will get your done. So you pay a bribe. Not because you want to encourage this tribe of bribe taking officials, but because otherwise you will be denied of your Rights and "EQUALITY" of opportunities.
When a person dies, for example, his family is supposed to get a death certificate from health department. But when you seek the same, you are insensitively asked to come on some other day, or to go and meet some other official, or to bring his birth certificate first! Now, in a country like India, there are many people, even today, who don’t have such documents. But, because rules are rules, and have to be followed, you will have to submit the same!! Then, comes the masterstroke – a person approaches you and says that no birth certificate will be required and you will get what you want by just paying X amount!
It is here that an average Indian confronts dilemma! Whether to complain or to cough up? Complaining will cause further delay while paying bribe is not right morally as well as legally! Now, as a responsible and good citizen you decide to complain. The aftermath becomes horrendous. You have to go to court testify as well as procure proof for the same. The process goes on and on for 5-6 or maybe even more years! In the meantime you don’t get the death certificate, in absence of which you may not get your rightful claim on your property! Finally you realize that paying X amount was better! Not because your morals say so, but because you have understood your own economic reality!
Many countries have legalized paying bribe while taking the same is an offence. Why? So that, a responsible citizen doesn’t fear being harassed and report corrupt practices without compromising on his genuine interests. But, in India, even paying bribe is an offence!
So where does it all leave you? Before one criticizes an average Indian for greasing the palms of officials, first look at the ground reality.
A soldier, who dies fighting enemies of the country, makes a great sacrifice. In India, what does he get? A medal and assurance of livelihood to his family. But that is it – an assurance. To get that source of livelihood his family has to grease the palm of many or else be prepared to fight a long and arduous court battle. Is it feasible? A student, despite appearing in exams, is marked absent in his marks-sheet! How does he get to know his marks? Either run from pillar to post for months or cough up? Is the student at fault? A harrowed farmer has no option but to bribe to get electricity for borewell or else standing crops will be ruined? Is he at fault when he bribes? He takes heavy loans for planting seeds. If he complains to vigilance – not only he loses his crops, he risks being burdened by debts which he will never be able to repay?
On top of that, Indian vigilance has itself repeatedly made to the most corrupt of government departments across the world!
So, is the system pushing us or are we making the system?
Perhaps, this Lokpal might not be able to root out corruption. But, it will certainly help in stemming the rot! So why not welcome it! Why point a finger on the victims?
