There is no doubt in the fact that the people at helm at the centre and in the Union Territory have drawn lines with regard to countering the scourge of corruption in J&K but on ground things are moving very slowly as giving and taking bribes is still in vogue though the anti-graft agencies are doing much to eliminate this ‘omnipresent’ problem from the region.
The anti-graft agencies have been given teeth to cut to size the corrupt elements but the problem of corruption in J&K is so big that the anti-corruption measures are proving ineffective. The trap cases by the anti-graft agencies especially Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) although shows that the government is trying its level best to curb corruption but numbers of such cases tell about the sordid state of affairs and the level of the problem because almost every next day a government employee is trapped for demanding or accepting bribe.
In this context, the latest case has been reported from Shopian where ACB has trapped and arrested a Junior Engineer (JE) of the Rural Development Department for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.
Looking at the gravity of the situation, it has become necessary that the people at helm should change the course of measures to eliminate corruption from J&K or else it will continue to snarl development and other means of progress.
One thing which can change the scenario for good is widespread awareness on the issue. Though at times people receive messages on their cell phones by certain government agencies to report to the Police or CBI if anyone demands bribe or undue favour for accomplishing a job but this seems to be inadequate as the problem is colossal and there is a need to start a comprehensive campaign against the corruption in the UT with everyone discussing about the ways of curbing it and also creating an atmosphere where people in position cannot demand bribe out of the fear of a backlash from the public.
Until this goal is not achieved, it is difficult to fight corruption because this problem is deep rooted with delinquent finding new ways and means to take undue benefits for doing the jobs of people, for which they are being paid by the government in the shape of their salaries.
Unless transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance become the norm across institutions and public life, the dream of a corruption-free J&K will remain distant. Only when every citizen refuses to be part of this vicious cycle can the Union Territory truly move towards clean governance and sustainable progress.
