Issues regarding corruption in India have become increasingly prominent in recent years. The country was subject to socialist-inspired economic policies dating from independence in 1947 until the 1980s. Over-regulation, protectionism, and government ownership of industry led to slow economic growth, high unemployment, and widespread poverty.[7][8] This system of bureaucratic control by government is called the License Raj and lies at the core of endemic corruption.[9] The Vohra Report of 1993, submitted by the former Indian Union Home Secretary Pranay Nahar, studied the issue of the criminalisation of politics. The report contained several observations made by official agencies on the criminal network which was virtually running a parallel government. It also discussed criminal gangs who enjoyed the patronage of politicians and the protection of government functionaries. It revealed that political leaders had become leaders of street gangs and rogue elements in the military. Over the years, criminals had been elected to local bodies, State Assemblies, and the Parliament.[10][11][12] The Right to Information Act of 2005 helped civilians work effectively towards tackling corruption. It allows Indian citizens to request information, for a fixed fee of INR10 (US$0.22), from a public authority (a body of Government or instrumentality of State). In turn, this public authority is required to reply to the request within thirty days. Activists have used this to uncover corruption cases against various politicians and bureaucrats – one consequence being that some of those activists have been attacked and even killed.[13]
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 05:05:22 +0000
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