The New Govt Must act tough with the High and Mighty Corrupt

Why the new government must go whole hog at corrupt in high places-starting with politicians

 

1. Today an article appears in  Times of India exhorting the New Government to keep out  tainted and corrupt politicians. It is difficult to understand why historically governments have not taken tough or tougher measures against misuse of power. Now winds is blowing in the right direction to take measures against such people in power or access to power. Here are the reasons why it is best to act now

 

• People's  refrain everywhere when discussing politics is about Development and Corruption. In recent times we have seen how people reward politicians genuinely trying for development ( though there are some aberrations). Anti corruption  measures (including criminals) against the mighty "Untouchables" can be a mighy  image booster with real effects that will accumulate over time. It is less likely to considered an "eyewash' or gimmick when taken up a "clean govt", more effective when taken at start of election cycle, when taken up without coercion from outside such as judiciary or opposition. In recent times perhaps only Mayawati( against some criminal MPs minister)  and BJD govt in Orissa took tough measures. ( did it dent their image because of such measures ?).
• Many of us are accustomed to accepting and thinking certain process must go through a time cycle. Whether it is population reduction, personal growth or development,. There are examples across the world- of nations, people and organizations - which convincingly strike and destroy these long accepted "time" theories.
• Corruption with its incarnations can have the following impacts; some are recognized;, others may be not so much. That mere a small percentage of development money reaches its beneficiaries is often  repeated. It also means when read together with examples of local leaders in different part of India that development is not as capital expensive/resource intensive as is often thought. Corruption also has a serious potential implication that may cut across the normal zone of influence of a leader"- security. Corruption can be a serious drawback to entrepreneurial spirit ; to creation of trust and team work; to focusing  of energy in right direction.
• Anti corruption seems to be a high return low cost investment both politically and economically. So why successive governments do not act tough to boost their image and their election prospects?
• Of course corruption has seeped in the segments of society, some of which  may be difficult to trace and therefore dislodge.
• Perhaps Media has not fully utilized its potential in this direction. This may be best done by acting together; creating new bench marks  for people in power  and creating internal competition. There cannot be a more powerful countervailing institution than media ( if it does not loose its independence to corporate shareholders and HNIs investors )
• We may soon see some entrepreneur making Anti Corruption a highly profitable and widely participative activity. It should not be hard.