Context: In the recently released Corruption Perception Index report by Transparency International, India has slipped in the rank to 93 in 2023 against 85th rank in 2022. According to the World Bank, Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain, it covers a wide range of behavior, from bribery to theft of public funds.
About Transparency International:
It is a global civil society organization focused on combating corruption worldwide.
- Founding: Founded in 1993 by former World Bank official Peter Eigen in Berlin, Germany, and has since grown into a global network.
- Mission: To stop corruption by promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society.
- Corruption Perception Index (CPI): Known for its annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which ranks countries by perceived levels of public sector corruption. The CPI is based on expert assessments and opinion surveys carried out across countries.
- Activities: It carries out research, and awareness campaigns to combat corruption. It also works with governments, businesses, and civil society to promote transparency and accountability measures.
- Global Activism: It advocates for the implementation of anti-corruption laws and policies globally. It also works to strengthen international frameworks and conventions aimed at combating corruption like United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
- Integrity Awards: Presents Integrity Awards to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment in fighting corruption.
- Secretariat: It is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The Transparency International Secretariat coordinates the activities of its global network and provides support to its national chapters.
- Funding: Organisation is funded by government grants, private donations, and institutional support, to ensure impartiality in its work, it maintains independence from any government or political ideology.
- Impact: Transparency International's efforts have contributed to
- Increased awareness of corruption issues worldwide
- Concrete changes in laws, policies, and practices aimed at combating corruption and promoting transparency and accountability.
Key Observations by Corruption Perception Index:
- India’s ranking has stagnated: Corruption perception score has stagnated because of inadequate delivery of anti-corruption commitments.
- Narrowing of civic space: India has seen further narrowing of civic space, including through the passage of telecommunication bill that could be a 'grave threat' to fundamental rights”.
- Lack of delivery on anti-corruption agenda: Weak scores reflect the lack of delivery by elected officials on anti-corruption agendas, together with crackdowns on organised civil society.
- Freedom of press: Attacks on freedom of press, assembly and association is also reason for decreased oversight and consequent rise of corruption.
Recommendations by the report:
To tackle corruption, promote justice and strengthen rule of law, Government should.
- Strengthen independence of judicial system: Promote merit-based appointment and protect judicial institutions from political interference.
- Making justice delivery more transparent: ensure that the data with respect to enforcement and administrative rules are openly available for better scrutiny by the public.
- Ensuring integrity of administrators and prosecutors: abuse can be prevented by dedicated whistleblowing and reporting mechanism.
Other recommendations with respect to reducing corruptions:
- Strengthening Anti-Corruption Laws: Enforce robust anti-corruption laws that cover both public and private sectors. These laws should include provisions for transparency, accountability, and severe penalties for corruption-related offenses.
- Enhancing Transparency in Government: Ensure greater transparency in government processes, decision-making, and expenditures through open data initiatives, public access to information laws, and mandatory disclosure of assets by public officials.
- Promoting Accountability: Establishing independent oversight bodies, such as anti-corruption commissions /Lokpal offices, with the power to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. Currently, such institutions lack enthusiasm to act on the complaints against corruption. (Around 68% corruption complaints against public functionaries that landed with the Lokpal of India were “disposed off” without any action in the past four years.)
- Encouraging Citizen Participation: Empowering citizens to actively participate in governance processes can help reduce corruption through promoting civic education, facilitating public consultations on policy decisions, and enabling citizen monitoring of public services.
- Promoting Whistleblower Protection: Ensure comprehensive whistleblower protection to safeguard individuals who report corruption from retaliation and ensure their anonymity and safety.
- Culture of Integrity: Promote ethical standards and values within society can help prevent corruption at all levels by promoting integrity in education, business, and civil society, as well as raising awareness about the negative consequences of corruption for the nation.