Youth aim to put brakes on bribery

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For most of us, bribery has become a regular part of life, but Anna’s crusade is all set to bring about a much-needed change. Volunteers of Anna’s India Against Corruption team recently launched the “say-no-to-bribe campaign” where

volunteers urged the deputy commissioner (central office) in Daryaganj to sign a declaration that he will never accept bribes as part of the “say-no-to-bribe” campaign.
In its second event, the team went to the zonal office, Sector-5, Rohini, to get a declaration signed from the MCD commissioner, that he will neither himself take bribe nor will he allow his staff to do so. Even as the campaign is getting mass support around the country, Delhiites tell us what pushes them to give bribes to get work done, rather than opting for the right way out.
“I feel cops have taught us the art of giving bribes. Money is a solution to every problem according to them. Recently, I parked my car at the exit gate of my locality and was sharing a few drinks with a friend, when a cop came and threatened to fine me for wrong parking and drinking in the car. I gave him `200 and that was the end of the matter. Instead of arguing with cops, we find paying a few bucks an easier option. Anna’s team should first find out why people pay bribes,” says Rajat Kapoor (name changed on request), a businessman in West Delhi.
Many also believe the need to get work done faster is the trigger to paying bribe. “I’m often caught talking on the phone while driving. If I abide by the law, I will end up wasting my time in government offices. If `100 saves me both time and money, why not opt for it? Until we have a quick and legitimate system in place to deal with day-to-day issues, people will opt for short-cuts and pay bribes,” says Shikha Panjla, who works with an MNC.
A government employee from an insurance company tells us, “In my 20 years of service in the government sector, I’ve hardly met two or three people who take bribes. In most cases, we refuse bribe and follow protocol. Over the years I’ve seen the change in people. Most are restless and don’t want to wait in queues. They offer bribes to the officials to get their work done. Sometimes, as much as `500 for a small thing.”
While the campaign has found many supporters, few voice their reservations. Mihir, an event manager, says, “What they’re doing is great, but just imagine how things would be if we don’t pay bribe. A work that gets completed in 10 days may take a year. I feel they should first change how the government offices operate, and then launch such campaigns. I don’t think something like this can go too far.”
A volunteer with the campaign against corruption says that this campaign is a small start to a big change. “These are small efforts towards a big change. We will be doing a lot more in the forthcoming days. These things have never happened in the country before. Did we ever see MCD officials signing a declaration stating they wouldn’t take bribe ever before? Getting things done quickly is no excuse to giving bribe. As responsible citizens, we need to get our act together first,” says Ankur, a volunteer.