Checking the scourge of corruption
- Imphal Times Editorial :: October 02 2016 -

The scourge of corruption has been one almost everybody in the state has had the unfortunate opportunity to experience it.

This all pervading social malaise has been acknowledged, reported and discussed, but till now precious little has been done to ease its frightening grip on the society.

And for the intrepid few who dare tread the dangerous path to unveiling the mask of the corruptors, the conclusion has almost always been the same- engineered confusion and institutional indecision leading such laudable efforts to be an exercise in futility.

That the practice of corruption has been deeply institutionalized in the system would be stating the obvious and a fact made redundant by its ubiquitous nature.

The scourge is increasingly becoming a crippling experience for the state, especially at the backdrop of the increasingly volatile social atmosphere.

As serious and insidious as the problem is proving to be, there has never been any worthwhile or concerted effort to remedy it.

While the number of individuals openly condemning the many reports and instances of corruption has been on the rise, thanks in no small measure to social medias and other interactive platforms, institutional reforms or efforts has been sorely lacking.

There is a plausible explanation for the same- that corruption is being bred and nurtured within the very system that generates power and authority. Corruption results from a structure that can be manipulated.

The two might be regarded as the two sides of the same coin, given the fact that where power resides, there is bound to be corruption, for at the heart of the matter lie the irrefutable truth that corruption is a result of inequalities, of imbalances in power and authority and the insatiable urge of men to collect wealth and riches not warranted by the power and authority vested in them by the society.

In other words, corruption means the practice of obtaining power, influence, or other personal gains through illegitimate means, often at others’ expense.

While the situation looks gloomy, there also remains the fact that corruption is a practice as old as civilization itself, and that despite the years, there are still institutions and systems which have managed to fend off or reduce the menace to a great extent.

Taking a leaf out of such government institutions and systems, we need to build on the principles and procedures which will elevate the problem to a manageable level, because truth be told, eradicating corruption completely would be an impossible ideal and wishful thinking.

A more pragmatic approach would be to build a sub-system of checks and balances into the system to counter the present practices and the procedures that enables such practices to continue and flourish.

Another approach would be to raise awareness of the various devices made available for individuals to check the menace at the personal or individual level- the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) and RTI (Right to Information), along with a proactive and earnest print and electronic media, could prove very effective in stemming the tide and keeping things in check for now.