Reducing Corruption – The 1 min Soundbite
As many of you would know (and can guess!), one of my major ideological disconnects with AAP was (is) the whole issue of Corruption (incl. Lokpal).
I continue to believe that Lokpal (and variants) addresses only one part of the problem – that of “consequences”..
Unfortunately there is little talk of “incentives” – and the systemic flaws that make it possible to be “corrupt”.
In this brief (1-minute!) snippet, I mention four things that can go a long way in reducing corruption:Â
- Make systems more transparent
- Make information open (accessible)
- Reduce the (discretionary) powers (and role) of government (& govt. officials)
- Make processes simple..
That’s pretty much it!
***
***
Listen to this..and “Share” if you “Like”!
P.S. These remarks were in response to a question on “Corruption” asked by a student at VJTI’s Technovanza, Dec ’13…जय हिंद, जय à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤¤! – शांतनà¥
To Eradicate Corruption:-
Our RBI should start motivate card system Instead of printing currencies. This can help us to stop corruption Indeed.
Shantanu, I am truly impressed with your political filters. A few weeks ago, I emailed you one of Kautilya’s quotes…
“Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey that finds its way at the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up, at least, a bit of the King’s revenue. Just as fish moving under water cannot possibly be found out either as drinking or not drinking water, so government servants….cannot be found out (while) taking money (for themselves)” (II.IX)
Anyone writing about corruption and ways to tackle it, and especially the one who talks highly about Indian past (Bharat, sanatan dharma and all that), once having seen that quote, would have remembered it every time he talked/wrote about corruption. You seem to have ignored it or forgotten it even as you write a post on corruption.
Do you really believe that Kautilya was a fool?
Please answer that first.
Prakash: Hurried response..
Did you listen to the video?
The first point I make is what you mention (admittedly without specifically mentioning Kautilya)
Kautilya’s quote has been widely known for quite a while (and I had read it in variants before)..
So not sure what your point is..
As for “Do you really believe that Kautilya was a fool?“, surely you know better than that?
P.S. The video is from a talk in Dec ’13 – much before your email..
P.P.S. Sorry to disappoint you but really have no time to engage in a debate on this. This response is mainly to put the record straight. Thanks
I did listen to your video. Thus far, in your posts while joining AAP, there was not any particular mention of corruption as the main ideological difference, so this post took me by surprise.
Anyway. I will step back from my irritation caused by naïve discussions about corruption and its elimination and point your attention to a very mature discussion about corruption.
The recent episode of satyameva jayate where Aamir Khan addressed the issue of police force and IPC provided that mature touch. I always believed that police Hawaldars were the most overworked, most neglected, and most misunderstood elements of our society. Most anyone only talked about their corruption. Aamir Khan’s program went far beyond that and discussed their pay, promotions, career prospects as also the money provided to police chowkies and many other related issued that have created the colossus that the police force is.
A similar discussion about politicians and elections needs to take place. That way, people will understand the compulsions of politicians.
As a person who has lived in many countries, who has studied many subjects, and who has worked at the ground level, I expect you to provide that maturity rather than descend to the level of AAP who seem to believe that (only) their version of Lokpal is the solution to every problem.
I only hope that the people who talking about corruption won’t get corroupted…..