Corruption - Vertical Alignment

In context with the Interior Minister’s resolve to eradicate corruption within seven days, a news item appeared a few days ago that the head of the department concerned would also be held equally responsible for the corruption indulged by any of his subordinates. Though it may sound somewhat unreasonable yet, that’s the way to deal with the corruption found so rampant now a days in the offices and administration. The NAB or the Anti-Corruption department cannot keep a tag on each and every government functionary. Just impossible and impracticable. It has to be done at each level and in each office. To catch a thief, set a thief. On the spot, there and then. This will break the ‘vertical alignment’ of corruption in the offices, where – everyone knows - the booty is passed on upwards on a prorata basis. The immediate senior certainly knows of th e life style of his junior and whether he can afford it or not. The way he dresses, the cigarette he smokes, the transport he uses, the cell phone, the gold rings, the watch and the goggles etc. that he supports, should let him judge instantly if the junior is living within or beyond his means. He must question him about these and if not satisfied censure him for it and reflect the same in his ACR. And, if the senior doesn’t do it he is either devoid of the moral courage required of his position or is himself an accomplice to the crime of corruption. In either case he doesn’t deserve to be there where he is.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)