People should decide not to be corrupt or corrupted: CVC

COIMBATORE: Observing that any number of statutory bodies will not help prevent or reduce corruption, Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary today said the situation can be changed only when people decide not to be corrupt or corrupted.

"There are Lok Ayukta, Lok Pal, Anti-Corruption Bureau. Still corruption is prevalent in India, also in the world. Can these bodies bring down corruption. I don't believe so", Chowdary said while speaking at a function here.

"Corruption can be reduced, only when there was change in the mindset of the people by deciding not to be corrupt or corrupted. Any number of institutions are not going to save the nation from the corrupt practises," he said.

Bribery, nepotism in providing jobs or tenders for lesser qualified persons and pre-closure of application dates, were parts of the corruption prevailing in India, he said.

Majority of the people and common men were not bothered on corruption in high places but were agitated over delay in getting small things done like drinking water connection, ration card without paying money, he said.

To prevent or reduce corruption, there was an urgent need for a campaign to create awareness about the ill effects of corruption, he said.

Later, talking to reporters, Chowdary said CVC's office was receiving about 75,000 complaints per year, a growth of 10 per cent year on year, which were allegations against departmental delays.

Another problem was pendency of cases. There were about 3,000 cases pending for the last three years in special CBI courts alone, he said.