Today corruption is a burning
topic in India, Everyone is fed up of corruption. News channels are showing
various programs and hosting discussions on corruption. Social media is full of
posts about corruption and netizen are liking and sharing those emotional posts
like anything. But most of these posts are telling about the corruption and its
amplitude. They are discussing how bad it is, what are its affects on society
and why it should be eradicated. But rarely will you find a post to explain,
what a common man can do to fight against day to day corruption. Supporters of
various political parties are blaming each other for corruption and trying to
convince the online community to vote for their party, as if one political
party or the other is going to use some magic stick to remove all corruption in
the system. But this is not possible at all.
Of course corruption is a bad
thing and it should be eradicated. But no single person can clean the system
overnight. Multi-level efforts are required to do this herculean task. We the
people of India can play a key role to eradicate the corruption from our
system. For higher level and political corruption you need different method and
for lower level corruption you need a totally different method. Here in this
article I’m trying to explain what a common man like you and me can do in fight
against day to day corruption.
1. Know
the rules: Knowledge is the best instrument to be used against day to day
corruption. If you are aware of the rules and the method to file complaint you
can definitely make a difference. But most of up hardly bother about the rules
and correct procedure of doing a thing. Our ignorance empowers the government employees
or officers to do what they want to do. Remember there are always right ways to
do the things and also a ways to fight against the wrong practices. If wrong
practices really hurt us, we should try to find out the right methods and
proper places to complain against them.
2. Spread
Knowledge: Tell others about the rules and about the methods to fight against
corruption. More you spread knowledge the more you empower people to fight
against corruption.
3. Follow
the rules: Before we correct others we should correct ourselves. If we are
taking the wrong path we cannot ask others to follow the right one.
4. Collect
as many proofs as you can: If you have made up your mind to do your bit against
corruption, collect enough proof to prove the corruption. You may take help of
modern electronic devices like mobile, camera, voice recorder etc. Try to
collect paper proof of the corruption. If required use RTI Act to collect
official information.
5. Make
a group: Tty to find other aggrieved people and invite them form a group. People
with similar problems can help each other. If you know certain other people who
are aggrieved and want to fight against the same type of corruption It is
better to take them with you It will give you strength.
6. Give
Representation: Give representation to proper authority about the case with
proper proofs and logics. It is a good
Idea to make double copy of the representation and take a receiving from the
office where you are giving the representation. It will strengthen you case and
force the authorities to consider you seriously. Many departments have
simplified online complaint facility available making it easy to complain and
keep track of the complaint.
7. Informing
Vigilance Department: In many cases It is difficult to collect valid proofs of
the corruption. In such cases Vigilance department can help you. You can inform
them and they themselves plan a trap for the corrupt officer. Then you help
them in their trap to catch the guilty person.
8. Involve
Media: In extreme cases media and public can be involved but generally it is
not advisable to involve media at early stages of action. Social media can also
help but only for spreading the news. It is generally seen that netizens do not
help in real life situations.
9. Follow
Up: Do not leave the case after filing the complaint. Give proper follow up
till the action is not taken. It may seem difficult initially but once it is
done It will set an example and other will take lesson from the same.