Corruption in India

 Corruption: The Unwelcome Guest We Can’t Seem to Kick Out

In India, even the average person could give a TED talk on corruption—it's that ingrained. Sadly, the issue is like that relative who overstays their welcome: deep-rooted, persistent, and, despite all efforts, tough to get rid of.

So, What is Corruption?

In my view, corruption is simple: when someone demands what isn’t lawfully theirs to get a job done, that’s corruption. It’s like being asked to pay extra for your pizza to be delivered on time—except here, we’re not talking about pizza.

An Example (That’s Far Too Common)

Picture this: a revenue officer in Punjab earning ₹25,000 a month, yet driving luxury cars and juggling two iPhones like a circus act. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? Nope, it’s just another day at the office. Try getting a property document registered in Punjab without slipping a little something extra to the sub-registrar—spoiler alert: it won’t happen.

This system is so unchecked that these positions come with a high "posting fee"—if you know what I mean.

Government or Private? Corruption Doesn’t Discriminate

We often blame government officials, but corruption in the private sector is no slouch. Whether it’s purchasing decisions, project approvals, contractor awards, or property acquisition, corruption seeps in like water through a leaky roof—and surprisingly, management often knows about it.

Why Does Corruption Flourish?

Here’s why this problem grows like weeds in a garden:

1. From the Top Down
   If the promoters or top brass don’t follow ethical policies, the message is clear: "Do what you want." It’s like seeing your boss use the company car for personal shopping trips—suddenly everyone feels okay doing it too.
2. Too Much Trust, Not Enough Checking
   When management blindly trusts certain employees and doesn’t monitor them, it's like leaving your cookie jar in the hands of a toddler—you’ll find it empty.
3. Flawed Checks and Balances
   Many companies design systems to keep departments in check, but if these cross-functional teams are cozying up to each other, who’s really checking?
4. Stale Roles, Rotten Practices
   Long tenure in the same job, especially in the same location, invites temptation. People in these roles start viewing bribes as “bonuses.”
5. No Fear, No Consequences
   When companies don’t crack down hard on unethical behavior, corruption flourishes. For instance, a person caught accepting bribes is simply transferred to another department. That’s like moving a bad apple to a different basket—it still spoils the bunch!
6. Pay Me More, Or Else...
   Many justify their actions by saying their salaries don’t match their responsibilities. But taking a bribe because of low pay is like robbing a bank because your wallet’s empty—still illegal!
7. Union Muscle
   Case in point: In Punjab, all the Tehsildars went on strike when one of their own was caught red-handed. Solidarity, yes—but maybe not for the right cause.
8. Manual Intervention Equals More Opportunities
   Whenever a process involves manual approvals, the "extra charges" slip right in. In project approvals, a file can pass through 5 to 10 hands, and in states like Punjab and Haryana, it may even reach the Chief Minister’s desk. Each stage has its own "fees."

Can We Uproot Corruption?

Easier said than done! But corruption is slowly eating away at the roots of our society. I’ve met many young Indians who left the country to start businesses elsewhere, fed up with the bureaucracy and corruption back home. I remember a young couple in Singapore who told me how government officials in India harassed their parents, who ran a small business. They had enough and moved to Singapore, where at least the system doesn’t demand "under the table" payments.

We have the laws—so what’s missing?
Strong anti-corruption laws exist, but enforcement is as rare as a solar eclipse. We need to take a page from Singapore or Dubai, where the rules aren’t just for show. In our country, democracy sometimes gets used as an excuse for ignoring wrongdoing. For instance, political spending limits exist in elections, but the actual costs are astronomically higher. First, we need to fix the system at the very top.

In the Private Sector: Set the Tone at the Top
Companies need robust systems to curb corruption, but it all starts with the tone at the top. Leaders like Ratan Tata and Azim Premji are shining examples—if the management walks the ethical walk, the rest of the company will follow.

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