The word ‘corruption’ is loosely used and we somehow forget the true meaning. As per Wikipedia: Political corruption is the use of powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties, is done under colour of law or involves trading in influence.
Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement. Corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking, though is not restricted to these activities. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is also considered political corruption. India is rife with this kind of corruption today.
Which of the above is absent in Goa? None, everything happens here. No prizes for knowing who is the master of repression of political opponents using govt. power! Take time to see the ramifications and you will see how honest, law abiding people are not only coming a cropper, but we also tend to approve the same as inevitable. Does it mean that all of us are part of this corruption?
To get any permission/clearance even to just build a compound wall in your own property you need to oil their hands. You cannot be an ostrich, and think this is a necessary evil; this is the sole reason Goa is heading to its demise. Why then do you need to ‘applaud’, greet, be pally with these people. Does it mean that these corrupt government officials/politicians are our new role models? That if one must succeed one must be corrupt?
Truly, Goa has given the need to re-define bribery. When one must bribe to get your ‘by right’ works done is it bribery?
Even to get a govt. job, which is yours by right of your ability, you still have to bribe the politician! These must not be called bribes but political alms to political beggars. Just see the mentality; young graduates, who studied for 16 + years are made to pay some non-graduate or even graduate person lakhs of rupees!
Recently, a Minister called to list the number of migrants changing their names to local names. Locals are second class citizens in Goa, they are not vote banks and hence not given land/illegal housing as they already have this. Their reasons are for corrupt purposes; to get jobs in the Govt. through corrupt politicians, get Portuguese passports, etc. The strange part is these migrants are politicians’ vote banks. They have already been given Goan land free, voters and ration cards. They now demand jobs. So now you know why migrants are changing their names?
We have to say no to corruption. Locals get a few metres of land around their homes or can build illegal extensions. Migrants get whole new land and dwellings. So, why would a non-Goan want to be classified as one who does not want to work and get side-lined in jobs?
The person whom you look up to, to whom you go to solve your problems, is selling you.
