Corruption: CVC report
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Ethics: Public Service
Source: Th
Context: The Central Vigilance Commission’s (CVC) 2023 report revealed that the highest number of graft complaints were against railway employees, followed by Delhi’s local bodies and public sector banks.
Out of 74,203 corruption complaints received, 10,447 were against railway staff, 7,665 against local bodies in Delhi, and 7,004 against public sector bank employees. The report also noted 6,638 complaints against Delhi government employees and 5,313 against Delhi Police personnel. Of the total complaints, 66,373 were resolved, with 7,830 still pending.
What is Corruption?
Corruption refers to unethical behaviour, which is characterized by misuse of public or organizational power, causing harm not only to organizations but also to society.
• The word corrupt is from the Latin word ‘corruptus’ meaning to break or destroy
• Corruption is an important manifestation of the failure of ethics
• Corruption misuse of entrusted power for private gain
The Wheel of corruption:
In India, corruption, and abuse of office are aggravated by the following factors:
• The colonial legacy of unchallenged authority, the propensity to exercise power arbitrarily – easy to deviate from ethical conduct
• Enormous asymmetry of power – eco, social inequalities, caste legacy, 90% workforce in unorganized sector
• Policies after independence– e.g. State subsidies, and beneficiary-oriented programmes in the situation of asymmetry of power converted public servants into patrons, citizens into mendicant
• Over-centralization increases corruption – a large number of functionaries b/w citizens and decision-makers diffuses accountability
• Quality of politics – criminal-politician nexus
• Politicians secure votes through money, and muscle power & criminals enter politics to interfere in crime investigation, monetary gain creates “acceptance” for criminals to enter politics
Impact of Corruption:
Corruption as a Manifestation of Failure of Core Values
Core Values Failing | Examples
Erosion of Honesty and Trust: Integrity declines, trust erodes, leading to corruption. | Societies now depend more on contracts than on personal promises.
Shift in Values and Empathy: Focus on personal gain overshadows social consciousness. | Community welfare projects are often sidelined for personal enrichment.
Lifestyle and Materialism: Growing material desires lead to unethical shortcuts, weakening societal values. | Bypassing regulations for personal luxury projects is common.
Education and Societal Role Models: Failure to instill values of empathy and integrity normalizes corruption. | Youth often look up to successful, yet corrupt, figures as role models.
Measures to Uplift Core Values
Measures Needed | Examples
Promote Social Engagement: Encourage community interactions to build trust, empathy, and respect. | Community events help bridge cultural and generational gaps.
Emphasize Moral Education: Teach ethics, empathy, and honesty in schools and homes. | The New Education Policy, 2020 stresses moral lessons.
Address Socio-economic Inequality: Reduce disparities to strengthen unity and integrity. | Community-driven initiatives uplift disadvantaged areas.
Champion Societal Values over Personal Greed: Prioritize fraternity, trust, and collective well-being. | Public campaigns promote collective welfare over individual gains.
Create Inclusive Platforms: Foster mutual understanding by providing open spaces for shared experiences. | Storytelling sessions promote empathy through diverse experiences.
Strengthen Community Leaders: Empower leaders who embody societal values to serve as role models. | Training programs prepare leaders to drive value-based initiatives.
The Commission (CVC) issued guidelines across three vigilance administration areas: Punitive, Preventive, and Participative Vigilance.
• Punitive: Swift and effective actions against those guilty of misconduct to deter others.
• Preventive: Proactively aiming for corruption-free governance through measures like rule simplification, officer rotation, and process re-engineering.
• Participative: Involving stakeholders such as government, civil society, and institutions to raise awareness on the ill effects of corruption, including initiatives like Vigilance Awareness Week.
Thinkers on corruption:
Thinker | Country | Views on Corruption
Plato | Greece | Corruption arises when rulers prioritize personal interests over the welfare of the state, undermining justice.
Machiavelli | Italy | Power corrupts when unchecked; leaders often resort to unethical practices to maintain control.
Karl Marx | Germany | Corruption is inherent in capitalist societies, driven by exploitation and class divisions.
John Locke | England | Corruption is a misuse of power and lack of accountability in governance.
Gandhi | India | Corruption is a moral failure rooted in greed; simplicity and moral leadership are solutions.
Kautilya (Chanakya) | India | Corruption is inevitable in large administrations and must be curbed with strict regulations and penalties.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | India | Corruption threatens democracy and social justice; education and reform are key to combating it.
Swami Vivekananda | India | Corruption stems from a lack of spiritual and moral values, which can be overcome through ethical leadership.
Insta Links:
• A step towards fighting corruption
Mains Links
• Fighting corruption is often seen as a crucial step towards building better public institutions and improving the quality-of-service delivery. Comment. (10M)