Comment Pieces

Poll Analysis | Corruption at grassroots level of governance

Posted on August 22, 2012

Despite having all resources, India is an underdeveloped country with widespread poverty. The disease of political and bureaucratic corruption is keeping India on back foot and affecting its development.

The question is who should be blamed for such rampant corruption in the country? We asked you, what do you think is the main reason behind corruption at the lower level in the government?

Thirty seven per cent of the respondents are of the opinion that high level officers are responsible for promoting corruption at a lower level. While 10 per cent of the voters think that the higher level officers do not pay any heed and are indifferent to preventing the spread of corruption. Five per cent of the voters blamed the greediness of the officers leading to widespread corruption.

Six percent of the voters sided with the government employees and feel the lower salaries leaves them with few or no options.

A majority of our voters believe low salaries of the government officers and the negligence of the higher level officers are responsible for the cancerous growth of corruption.

A Bangalorean writing about his concern on corruption says on our website that “we are making such an issue that we paid a bribe but why and who.” The monthly income of the traffic policemen is as low as only Rs. 2,500 ultimately forcing them to take bribe to survive, he adds.  

“But that still doesn't mean the cop should demand a bribe,” opines a respondent on our site. He adds, “Not everyone is happy with the salary they earn for whatever reason, doesn’t mean people go around demanding money for anything and everything they think they are entitled to.”

It is not only the responsibility of the government but citizens should also play their part in the society to curb corruption. When the country is suffocating under the burden of corruption, Indians should come together as a force against corruption rather than sling mud at each other.