NCJ Number
213350
Date Published
September 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After defining corruption associated with public office, this report considers its prevalence in India and how it is being addressed.
Abstract
Corruption in public office is associated with illegally giving or accepting some kind of compensation to do something in an official capacity that favors the giver of the bribe. Corruption breeds mistrust of public institutions, undermines ethical principles by rewarding those who are willing and able to pay bribes, and perpetuates inequality in the distribution of government services. According to the 2001 Corruption Perception Index, which ranks countries by the prevalence of public corruption, India ranks 72 out of 91 countries. In an effort to address public corruption, India passed the Prevention of Corruption Act in 1988 for the purpose of consolidating law relating to the prevention of corruption. One of its provisions was the establishment of an external independent and impartial body to investigate allegations against government officials. Similar bodies have been created in Indian States. Although corruption has become deeply entrenched in public institutions at all levels of government in India, a strong political will and commitment to an anticorruption agenda can bring corruption under control. To aid in this objective, there should be an appropriate modification of the Indian Official Secrets Act, so there will be greater transparency in public dealings. The expansion of secrecy breeds an environment for corruption. The implementation of the Corrupt Public Servants section of the Forfeiture of Property Act of 1999 ensures the appropriate punishment of corrupt public servants through the confiscation of property derived from bribes. Similarly, the appointment of independent ombudsmen by major public utilities has facilitated the redress of grievances and the development of codes of conduct based in the International Code of Conduct for Public Officials.