Corruption has become a way of life in our society and no amount of accountability can eradicate it.
ISLAMABAD: Your editorial of November 25 titled “Corruption in India but…” has brilliantly exposed the many facets of the rampant corruption prevalent in both India and Pakistan. However, based on my working knowledge and practical experience of nearly four decades in government service, I have come to the conclusion that corruption has become a way of life in our society and no amount of accountability can eradicate it.
And those who suffer from this the most happen to be hapless citizens who have to deal with low-ranking government functionaries in various departments known for their rampant corruption. The culture of graft is so rampant that I would suggest it be regularised by asking citizens to pay up front for them. These could be called ‘service charges’ and should be fixed, at reasonable rates, payable by applicants for different duties, functions and public services in each government department.
The money that is collected in this manner can then be pooled together and shared by each employee at the end of the month according to his or her performance. Any government servant demanding more than the fixed amount of such gratification or delaying the legitimate matter of an applicant will invite severe punitive action.
Jameel Bhutto
Former federal secretary
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2010.
