The worst aspect of mis-governance, at its sinister form, is the system of appointing government officers through a process of under-the-table-paid manner which absolutely plagues the society. The system not only discourages identifying and choosing fit and qualified officers, whereas, it paves the way for an unending flow of corrupt practice where the officers appointed on an irregular basis pounces on easy ‘preys’ to recover the amount they spent in getting their appointment letters. The cycle is vicious and round, handed down an individual to his successors.
By Salam Rajesh
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh committed to a clean, corruption-free tenure in his second term in office as the administrative head of State, inspiring hopes for a transparent and accountable Government in Manipur in the coming days as a good example for the rest of the country.
Interacting with the public, and the media, on the occasion of his reception by the Heingang populace who are primarily responsible for his second term in the CM’s office, on 3rd April earlier this week at Luwangshangbam, the chief minister reportedly cited the teachings of his father to commit selflessly for the people and the State.
The chief minister’s commitment comes at a time when the status of state governance is at a low ebb with the public wary of the processes of governance that has created an artificial rift between the State and the public, the trust deficit quite large and loud enough for the average populace to be skeptic of the state mechanism in almost every sector of government.
Since 1993 when this writer first tried his hands in journalism, the first and foremost complaint that could be heard among the masses was the manner in which the state mechanism was truly faulty at its roots. The typical case study was the home crowd within the Secretariat where some of the more important offices of the State Government are located.
Keeping pace with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for “Good Governance” to usher in speedy development and progress of the nation, the chief minister had committed to bring ‘good governance’ to the State by applying the principle of clean, transparent and accountable governance, which is why the Government is setting up an anti-corruption cell to monitor and sweep clean any signs of ‘corruption’ in any form and at any level.
The term ‘Corruption’ is a by-word which can be transliterated into various meanings, whether it is corrupting another person through a devious means or asking for bribe to get things done or influencing an officer to pass the file with a half-closed eye, or even asking for a chew of betel nut (paan) to allow entry inside a ‘prohibited’ office enclosure. The definition can be wide and multiple.
To come back to the Secretariat story, the predominant high-profile section of office noted for the wide ranging definition of ‘corruption’ is certainly the section hosting the education department matters. This writer had time and again went through the pace and layer of tables across the two or three floors at the New Secretariat on different occasions, personal and public, and it was quite evident of the processes where the rift between the public and State was definitely apparent.
For the average person, it was certainly difficult to pass through the haze of individuals through which the concerned file passed through. Every layer was the ‘creamy layer’ where the file does not move until the dealing officer has been pleased with an obligation which may range from the betel nut chew to about INR five hundred and beyond INR five thousand as the case may apply.
Upon an interaction with a clergy on one particular occasion on this very matter, his reply was honest and to the point, “Achoubana chaba yaraga eikhoina chaba yaroidabgi maram leibra?” (literally meaning, ‘When the big-wigs can cash in, why cannot we do the same?’). The clergy was justifying himself on the basis that corruption as it is, is an accepted process of governance – from the highest to the lowest strata of governance, that is.
The other sector where this writer found objectionable in the matter of good governance was the Imphal Treasury office in a past time where nothing seem to move forward unless the ‘supari’ was there. The lady at the counter would say with a grin, “Cha thaknabadi?” (literally meaning, ‘What about the bucks for the tea?’). That is the level of corruption where it picks up from the grassroots up to the higher echelon of power. Nothing is for free as the matter goes, per se ‘good governance’.
The worst aspect of mis-governance, at its sinister form, is the system of appointing government officers through a process of under-the-table-paid manner which absolutely plagues the society. The system not only discourages identifying and choosing fit and qualified officers, whereas, it paves the way for an unending flow of corrupt practice where the officers appointed on an irregular basis pounces on easy ‘preys’ to recover the amount they spent in getting their appointment letters. The cycle is vicious and round, handed down an individual to his successors.
There is the saying that good teachers mould efficient students capable of contributing positively to society in their future careers. Whereas, the issue is on the basis of appointing teachers where the system favours an irregular basis of appointment, where bribery or ‘forced’ bribery becomes the norm for getting their appointment letters.
The subjective matter here is that qualified individuals sometimes lose out in the race as they do not have the means to pay through the ‘channels’ to get appointed, whereas, those with the means have an easy sail through the process. The system is too evident to be denied that such corrupt system exists in society. It is not only about appointing teachers but is typical of most government institutions where the race for white collar jobs gives room for corruption in its worst aspect.
It, therefore, comes as a huge breather for the aspiring government job seekers that the State’s administrative head has committed to ushering in a system where corruption in its every form and aspect cannot take root in society.
The one hope for the people is that the Government will ensure easy accessibility to address grievances through the anti-corruption cell that the State had constituted recently, and that there would be such a mechanism which will discourage any government officer from asking or taking bribe in any form.
The Government’s contribution to the growth of Manipuri society, and the State at large, through a robust system that ensures transparency and accountability throughout would certainly earn the wholesome respect and due diligence of the public in this five-year term, and more.
(The writer is a media professional. He can be reached at [email protected])