ELECTIONS & CORRUPTION

Eradication of Corruption is the one thing that is bothering the minds of every one in the country. Corruptions by Politicians, Corruptions by High Government Officials and Corruption at the Lower levels And corruption at all places, is eating at the very roots of Democracy. Congressmen prior to Independence were known for their honesty and Integrity. But to-day it is no more so.2. The route cause for corruption at Political Level can be easily attributed to the present concept of Elections. Any candidate has to spend good lot of money to contest the elections. Paper Reports suggest that even for Punchayath Elections crores of Rupees are spent. What about Elections for Assembly and Parliament? It is commonsense that, after spending so much, they cannot be content with the pittance of Salary or Allowances they get nor can they make up the huge sums spent by any lawful methods. They have to not only get back the amount spent but also some compensation for the risk taken. The next choice to make up for the election Expenses would be to resort to Corruption. Now it is not limited to making up the lost amount as Election Expenses but also to build up for the future and for the progeny. Of course, making provisions for the family is a natural Corollary. So it is not possible for them to fix any upper limit
3. How to make money? Indian intelligence excels all others in this field. Some MLA’s & M.P’s collect regular Hafta from Government Officials in their Constituency. The Official who pays, Tahasildar, D.C. or Police Officer, R.T.O, Sub-Registrar, cannot pay from his purse and has to make up this money through Corruption. Tahasildars fix targets for collection to Village Accountants, Revenue Inspectors Etc., Sub-Registrar’s Office and Sales Tax Office, Customs, R.T.O Offices are nothing but dens of Corruption. The list can go on. Another and more important source is contractors. Contracts are not approved or their Bills are not passed with out greasing the Palms of Officials. While tendering they not only take all these expenses into consideration while tendering, but most of the time, they do substandard work. All the Persons

have the protection from their Bosses and Ministers. There is an Anti Corruption {Lok-Ayuktha} Department. They can only touch a fringe of the Corrupt. They can harass a less intelligent and less clever, Official or person in power, who does not how to do things without being caught. Some times, a Government Official Like a Doctor, or a Clerk who accepts a Bribe of Rs. 20/- is caught and harassed for decades,while Big fish make merry.4. Now there appears to be competition among Politicians to propagate some present Ministers as Corrupt and present themselves as most Honest. A Secret Survey should be conducted of all the Politicians as to how much money and Property they have amassed illegally during their tenure. They are paupers when they first enter Politics. But within a short time, they make Crores. Can they honestly account for every pie they have. Even for the declared amount during filing of Nomination, they will not be able to account. I do not know how tax authorities accept their returns. I understand that in some Countries there is no Corruption at the lower level and the ruling Party, which ever it is, collects the amount needed by them from Big Contractors and the latter in turn makes up the amount by Jacking up the Tender amount. They are certainly better than us in a way. It is most unfortunate, there are open allegations against Military & Judiciary also these days. I think we have reached the summit.5. Is it at all possible to Eradicate this evil? I think the Answer is big NO if we continue the Present System of Elections and Governance. One of the ways to reduce Corruption is to fix time limit for every Task and if an authority does not give proper disposal, deal with him sternly. Impose fines and penalties Register all complaints and give proper disposal. It is not happening now. Proper disposal to every complaint is a must and the guilty should be severely punished. This can reduce the Corruption to some extent6. To my mind, a simple solutions appears to eradicate corruption at the Political Level. It may look utopian, impossible of implementation, absurd, it cannot work etc., One may say. In a country where more people are illiterate ignorant, and people vote for a bottle of drink and so on, even with the best of intentions and the best of Electoral practice the best of candidates are not being elected. So Even if still worse people are elected, in the new system I suggest, it is still worth giving a Trial.
7. My Simple suggestion is, Abolish all types of advertising, pamphlets, canvassing, distribution, canvassing through Loud speakers, going to houses begging for votes, distribution of freebees like Sarees, Money, Liquor Etc. Make All Medias, News Papers, Radio, T.V. both private and Public Compulsory for say, 20 days to Publish the manifestos, Promises, etc., of Political Parties and Politicians what they are and what they propose to do, say 20 t0 30% of their
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resources for Election Purposes once in 5 years. Allow Each Party to address Public at Specified places and specified time arranged and organized by Election Commission. This can be done by giving weightage to the Past performance of each party in their previous Elections. Make any other form of
canvassing an Offence and disqualification.
Now we have Internet Etc., where Parties and Politicians can post/boast their achievements and what all boons they are going to shower on their subjects. It is free and accessible by all and even by Villagers.

8. In my humble opinion suggestions like state funding Elections and the like are most foolish and criminal waste already scarce resources and should never be allowed to be practiced.
9. If MY system is introduced, intellectuals, and honest and Poor and otherwise deserving people can enter Election Arena. I am sure such representatives can afford to be honest and they will certainly do better Job. Even if they don’t do, a strict and honest government can eradicate CORRUPTION with an iron hand. If this happens our country can raise to Wuthering heights much earlier than our dear Kalam expects. Comments are most welcome.
CSP RAO.
Originally Posted by PUTTU RAO CS earlier and reposted .