Corruption

A country obviously cannot progress if all of it’s political leaders are corrupt to some degree. Corruption is rampant in both countries(Pakistan and India). How do we get rid of this disease? Is it something that is so deeply rooted in our cultures that there is no hope for a corrupt-free country?

Re: Corruption

You could try by increasing pay rates in pak, strenghtening laws to combat fraud, more police, education, social welfare the list goes on

Re: Corruption

Although, it's impossible to get rid of corruption in India...the initial measures should be implemented to bring more accountability and transparency, at least at the highest level of government to start with.

The formation of CVC (central Vigilance Commission) under anti-corruption act was a good step...but the jurisdiction of CVC is very limited and the Prime Minister with his powerful cabinet remains un-affected.
Also right to information act, which was passed recently must be ammended to cover all sectors of government including PMO and defense.

I think role of CVC must be expanded and should cover all sections of government including influential defense ministry and intelligence agencies into it's jurisdiction...even parliament should be held fully accountable either under judiciary or if possible under CVC.

The one other way to eliminate corrupt politicians is to go out and vote...majority of people in India never excercise their voting rights...and most of those people who vote are ignorant about the candidate whom they are electing, they simply cast their ballot on the basis of caste/religion or language based polarization....political parties have exploited this well.

Re: Corruption

ok but what happens when all the candidates are corrupt to some degree? Who do you vote for then? Isn't that why most of the educated people don't bother voting. Because they feel it's useless and that it would be one corrupt politician replacing another corrupt one.

Re: Corruption

I think, at first place, we are not knowing much abt 1961 act of "NO VOTE" called as 49-O of Conduct of election rules in India...

I got following mail recently, this may help in understanding what "NO VOTE" means...

[quote]
Do we know that there is a provision in our constitution, as per the1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth,confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!!!!!

Yes, such a feature is available, and the presiding election officer is supposed to keep track of the number of people who refused to vote. After the polling is over he is supposed to submit this number to higher authorities involved in counting of votes. But obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called 49-O...
Now the Question you'll ask is why should you go and say " I vote nobody"... Because, if a candidate wins, say by x votes, and that particular constituency has received 49-O votes more than x, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled.It doesn't stop at that, the candidature of the contestant will be removed and he cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on him.

This would bring fear into parties and hence they will look for genuine candidates to represent their parties for election. This would change the way, of our political system... if not entirely then atleast a start can be made. It is seemingly surprising why, election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public.... This thing also needs to be investigated. This seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in our country.Expressing your desire not to vote anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance....either vote or vote "NO VOTE"
[/quote]

Election Commision has confirmed this clause even in parliament...but any wonder why our media never gives much coverage to these?:(

Re: Corruption

^wow I never knew that this is possible in India. That's awesome and yes it is sad that Indian people don't know about this. When a majority of the people in India are well educated this will be a very powerful tool. I don't understand why the news media has not made this a big issue though since the news media in india is far from being corrupt.

I have to show this to my ultra pessimistic friend who feels that there's no hope :)

Re: Corruption

I wonder if Pakistan has something similar to a section "49-0" in it's constitution?

Re: Corruption

India has has had close to a billion dollars marked for health care projects delayed by the World Bank due to corruption. It's a rather new development for the WB who typically choose to ignore corruption as its a political hot potato but tying up loans and delaying investment to sectors seen as corrupt seems like a logical response.

If your water pressure is 70% of what it should be your likely to be irritated but not likely to spend much effort in getting the city to repair it, if you water pressure drops to zero you'll raise hell to get it fix will you not?