Curbing Corruption in India: An Impossible Dream?

Abstract

India's ineffective anti-corruption strategy can be attributed to the lack of political will of its leaders and its unfavourable policy context, which has hindered the enforcement of the anti-corruption laws. The lack of political will in fighting corruption is manifested in the lowest per capita expenditure and least favourable staffpopulation ratio of the CBI when compared to those of its counterparts in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand. To enhance the CBI's effectiveness, it should be removed from the jurisdiction of the police and be established as an independent agency dedicated solely to curbing corruption. The Constitution of India should also be amended to empower the CBI to investigate corruption cases at the state level without obtaining the consent of the chief minister of the state. In view of the lack of political will, this article concludes that curbing corruption in India remains an impossible dream in the foreseeable future.

Street-based Corruption in the Philippines: Exploring Kotong Frame Alignments Between Enforcers and Motorists in a City in Metro Manila

“…These elements plus the values undergird the daily interaction of Filipinos. Quah (2010) agrees with Co (2005) and Varela (2003) and cites the same values as one of the culprits behind the persistence of corruption in the Philippines.…”

“…The desire to provide for the wants and needs of their families is a strong driving force behind the acceptance of kotong money. Both Quah (2010) and Jimenez (2010) affirmed this finding in their own studies on the persistence of corruption in the Philippines. The importance of the family is at the centre of the motivation to accept kotong money regardless of the possible consequences, particularly the loss of job, once apprehended by higher authorities.…”

“…In his own study, Quah (2010) agrees that the meagre salaries received by local state authorities are one of the reasons behind the pervasiveness of corruption. According to him, in a survey of public attitude towards corruption in the country conducted in 1998, low salary was cited as the major cause of corruption (Quah 2010: 11).…”

“…This also highlights the government's culpability in the pervasiveness of corruption, as they do not pay wages enough for their employees to stay true to their jobs without being tempted to compromise their principles. For Quah (2010), even the top officials are tempted given the salaries they receive.…”

Dealing with sectoral corruption in Bangladesh: Developing citizen involvement

“…However it does so in a specific context where the decentralised approach adopted by TIB has facilitated local accountability of service providers. Quah's (2006) argument that the control of corruption will only be effective if supported by strong political leadership is particularly relevant in Bangladesh where its key politicians ( Khaleda Zia (BNP) and Sheihk Hasina (AL)) have been jailed on corruption charges, although the latter is in exile in America following release on medical parole. Despite the launch of an anti-corruption drive by the caretaker government progress has been slow and mired in legal disputes.…”