West Bengal CM Mamata Banarjee recently strongly reprimanded elected representatives of her party TMC, indulging in the practice of taking “Cut Money” from the beneficiaries of Government schemes, even threatening those caught to be put behind bars.
The phenomena of “Cut Money” is also prevailing in Goa in various forms and at various levels, from the lowest position upto the highest officials, sometimes involving even the Ministers.
Recently CM Pramod Sawant had to publicly warn government employees not to accept bribes from the public, promising to grant favours, instead to concentrate in performing their normal duties or face stern action.
It’s a common knowledge that getting one’s work done in time, right from the Village Panchayat to the various government departments, common men experience hurdles and that their files don’t move unless “Cut Money” is paid.
A close look at the functioning of various departments will indicate that a well-oiled system with unwritten rules exists and how this practice of receiving cut money directly or indirectly happens, involving agents, touts and even government employees.
I am aware at least of two cases where the role of “cut money” was plainly evident. Some years back, I was given to understand by my neighbour that her son a college graduate was awaiting for a government placement. The modus operandi was simple. Pay 50% (Rs 3 lakhs in 2007) of “cut money” as advance and the remaining on getting the appointment letter. In this case the middle man was allegedly a person of close confidence of a Minister. I never came to know whether the young man got his job or not as they moved to a new location.
Presently the concept of “Cut Money” is much more than offering of bribes. Since the stakes are high and government services are many, projects are valued in crores, payment of commissions or kickbacks have encompassed every government department either in order to get one’s work done or to get allotments of work contracts or obtain permissions for illegal constructions or perpetrate other kinds of illegalities. Even prison inmates use the power of “cut money” to get what they want.
“Money power” dominates and with it work can be done on priority. Morality and ethics have become casualties.
The nexus between elected representatives and bureaucracy is a reality but the complicity between the two cannot be easily established. End result honest people suffer, illegalities multiply, public works that are executed are of sub-standard quality and convicts escape from police custody. To rub salt to the wounds, no one has to answer for these illegalities or provide accountability. If caught, suspension until investigation is over followed by reinstatement.
“Cut Money” has become a sure alternative to get different kinds of work done, thereby prospering the elected representatives, middle men, agents and corrupt government officials, who indulge in such activities with impunity. In such a situation common men become the victims if cannot afford cut money.
