A Criminologist’s Diary-19

Bribery and Corruption

There is so much uncertainty and fluctuation in the climate in Arkansas that no one can make any prediction of what will be the climate tomorrow. The weather forecast is as good or as bad as the weather forecast in our country. When I went to the body fitness center in our apartment complex, there was very good sunlight and the temperature was -1 degree Celsius. After about 40 minutes, when I returned from the Center, there was snowing. I had then a feeling. The climate change here is almost like the corruption, corrupt practices, corruption money splitting, corruption money fixing, bribery etc. at the lower or middle level of Government administration. Of course, in an age of corruption and malpractices, it is only through corruption and malpractices that the wisdom can rule. People are prepared to be subjected to corruption as they find that there is no other option left with them. My studies about corruption cases in Kerala give me ample proof that-

1. People are well prepared to offer corruption money in a 'decent' manner. However, they do not favouir 'indecent' demands and exorbitant amounts which they cannot afford to.
   
2. Like a black mailer, the corrupt officer repeatedly demands corruption money at each and every step to be taken further in the same file- without any morality or moral principle.
   
3. Accept corruption money and do nothing for the actualization of the promises made prior to acceptance of the corruption money-in other words, when corruption within corruption is noticed.
   

   Kick-backs or nexus dealings are accepted as 'good and glorified' trade practices or transactions. In the present scenario in Kerala, people helplessly approach the Vigilance Departments only in rarest of rare cases – just before their drowning in the deep sea- when they are cheated – or in situations enumerated above. The cases registered per year by the Vigilance Department and given in the CRIME IN INDIA publications of the Government of India show that they are of negligible numbers. Is there corruption even in the registration of cases? The staff in the Vigilance Department may be handful although they may be overburdened with small-small cases. Anyway at Bentonville city in Arkansas, I wish to sing with the English poet:
   

   "If winter comes, can spring be far behind". No, it can't. Likewise, if there is bribery in an office, can corruption be far behind?
   

No. It cannot be, because the BRIBE of the British India was intended only for the lowest level of functionaries in Government services. The expression BRIBE is a disgrace for the high, higher and highest level officials. It has no status and for them, 'corruption' is the word used. If there is bribe in an office, certainly there is corruption at higher levels. If that is certain, the ordinary people have still uncertainty in another aspect. Like the climate in Arkansas, can we predict the nature? No one in Kerala except some astrologers (exaggeration admitted) there will be able to say something about the fluctuations and uncertainties of higher corruption centers in Government offices. When one offers money, there will be bright sun light; immediately after wards, there will be snowing, icing and what not?