Rampant and wide-spread corruption, both in the public services and as also among holders of high political offices, is undoubtedly a matter of serious national concern.
Although brave words to ‘wage war’ against corruption, ‘no compromise’ on corruption and ‘not to spare any corrupt person, however high’ have, time and again, been voiced by all top leaders of different political parties in power at the Centre and in the States, there has been little dent on corruption or corrupt individuals. In fact, corruption has become more common and deep-rooted.
It has also engulfed larger number of persons holding high public offices during the last one decade. It is now galloping unchecked and unhindered. Many scams and scandals recently reported in the press in great details are enough proof of this ever-worsening situation due to near total lack of effective vigilance.
Corruption during Second World War Times
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The problem of corruption in administration and the public initially became glaring during World War II years (1939-45). Massive war supplies and contracts running into lakhs of rupees (huge amounts of those times), war time shortages and rationing of essential articles of daily use provided unprecedented opportunities to make quick money by unscrupulous suppliers, contractors and traders.
Many government servants were tempted and bribed by them to obtain speedier approvals and payments for completed works and supplies of even low quality and substandard goods.
To check this kind of corruption, a special police force at the Central level, known as “The Delhi Special Police Establishment’ (DSPE) was set up in 1941 and was given statutory status by enacting the DSPE Act 1946.
In April 1963, creation of CBI, the DSPE became a part of this larger anti-corruption police organisation.
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Corruption in Post-Independence Period
This position, however, changed radically after Independence and assumption of power by the elected leaders. The launching of the economic development through Five Year Plans from 1951 onwards phenomenally increased government spending
Banking and Insurance sectors came under government ownership and control. Numerous large and medium size PSUs were set up. “Licence, quota, and Permit Raj” came into being in areas of economy left open for the private sector.
All these provided ample opportunities for making large illegal gains by corruption-prone ministers and public servants at all levels by abusing their offices and powers. Numerous ‘middlemen’ and peddlers of influence too emerged to facilitate corruption and to share the booty at the cost of the public exchequer.
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Many kinds of ‘White Collar’ or economic offences in violation of the numerous new fiscal laws, like the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), The Import Export (Control) Act, The Customs and Excise Act, The Income Tax Act, The Industrial Licensing Act, etc., provided additional avenues of corruption.