Annual Corruption Report

 Annual reports of the of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India(CAG) tabled on the floor of the house , contain startling and sometimes shocking irregularities under various government departments in Nagaland. Despite such reports being tabled every year, cases of blatant corruption have not lessened but rather, worsened since the few decades. These are clear indications that those who blatantly commit irregularities (an euphemism for corruption) are not afraid of being held accountable since, except for the rule of the gun, the rule of law does not exist. At best, even when corruption cases are registered, probed and action taken, it is only the small fries who are netted while the big fishes swim freely The issue of tackling corruption has not translated into impartial investigation and prosecution. Corruption of the worst magnitude plagues the entire strata of society and clearly, such a pre-eminence has also led to its acceptability. It reverses the very idiom of the “black sheep” in the family or society. In fact, too many black sheep has reversed the moral into the “white sheep” syndrome. The number of organizations with lofty ideals, who raise the issue in public domain have dwindled over the years. This has also included those that have exploited the RTI Act. The report of CAG Nagaland also needs to be seen from information that at times, the reports are presumptuous in the face of inadequate explanations. One cannot presume a person guilty just on the strength of discovery of some incriminating matters. Only a deeper probe will unearth facts on who is the actual guilty person. Be that as it may, the CAG reports are nevertheless substantial enough to reveal the magnitude of corruptibility within the prevailing system. States where corruption is not considered as a serious matter, are suffering its consequences. It may be noted that the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on October 31,2003 stated that it was “concerned about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law”. The UN has considered corruption as a violation of human rights. Individual corruption is the cause of institutionalized corruption, the latter being the most dangerous and deadly. Today, institutionalized corruption has become so deep rooted in the government that people have become insensitive to it. The vicious circle gets enlarged during elections which has to be the starting point where the battle against corruption has to be fought. Politicians have no vision worth mentioning as their single focus is to perpetrate corruption, injustice and lawlessness for the sake of power. Government servants in Nagaland, especially the bureaucrats, are considered to be among the richest in India. This amplifies the practical meaning of “serving the public” being turned into serving one’s interest. As had been mentioned in this column in the past, despite many rules governing conduct of government employees, the absence of enforcement has reduced these rules to mockery. On the other hand, the silence of the “religious leaders” of the church against cash for vote scam, anti social and criminal acts is deafening. Any society where corruption is rampant, and no longer a shameful act, is tolerated clearly exposes the sham of whatever religious faith that dominates such a society.