Mains Marathon

Approach :

• Begin with a brief explanation on the nature and impact of corruption.
• Assess how corruption erodes institutional integrity and public confidence in governance.
• Discuss this in the context of competing values like transparency and confidentiality.
• Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction:

Corruption transcends the mere misuse of power—it is a betrayal of the implicit trust that citizens place in public institutions. When public servants or representatives exploit their positions for personal gain, they not only subvert the rule of law but also erode the ethical foundations of governance. This undermines both institutional integrity and the public's confidence in the state.

Body :

Erosion of Institutional Integrity: Institutional integrity refers to the adherence of institutions to their core values—transparency, impartiality, and accountability. Corruption compromises these pillars:

• Undermining the Rule of Law: When bribery and favoritism dictate decisions, laws are applied selectively.
  • This was evident in the Vyapam Scam in Madhya Pradesh, where fraudulent recruitment in government jobs destroyed meritocracy.
• Policy Manipulation: Institutions may serve vested interests rather than the public.
  • In the Coal Allocation Scam, discretionary allotment of coal blocks bypassed transparent auctioning, costing the exchequer heavily.
• Loss of Efficiency: Corruption leads to cost overruns, poor-quality delivery, and delays.
  • For example, in the Commonwealth Games Scam (2010), inflated contracts and a lack of oversight resulted in substandard infrastructure and international embarrassment.

Loss of Public Confidence: Trust is the cornerstone of democratic governance. Corruption creates a deficit of trust in several ways:

• Citizens’ Disengagement: When people perceive the system as rigged or unjust, they lose faith and withdraw from civic participation.
• Protest and Discontent: Corruption triggers public outrage and movements.
  • The India Against Corruption movement (2011), led by Anna Hazare, showcased mass anger against unaccountable governance and led to the demand for the Lokpal.
• Undermining Welfare Delivery: Leakage in schemes like PDS, MGNREGA, and health insurance deprives the poor and widens inequality.

Conclusion:

Corruption not only drains financial resources but also corrodes ethical values, weakens institutions, and alienates citizens. Rebuilding public trust demands systemic reforms, transparency mechanisms, and a culture of integrity. As the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission rightly noted, ethical governance is essential not just for development, but for the legitimacy and survival of democratic institutions.