Combating Contagious Corruption

N. Vittal, the former Vigilance Commissioner argues that there are five players on the corruption scene in Indian system that makes for a vicious circle. These are –

(1) the 'neta", the corrupt politician;
(2) the "babu,' the corrupt bureaucrat;
(3) the "lala" the corrupting businessman;
(4) the "jhola", the corrupt NGO; and
(5) the "dada" the criminal of the underworld.

Alternatively, Indian corruption system can be categorized into four 'Ps' in terms of quantum of money exchanged. These are –

(1)Political corruption (e.g. kickbacks, donations to political parties from individuals and industries, use of black money in elections etc).
(2)Programme corruption ( e.g., food for work, rural development, relief schemes, grants and subsidies to NGOs, etc);
(3)Project corruption (e.g., commission to be paid for approval of contract and grants).
(4)Petty corruption (e.g., chai paani (bribe/tips for prompt access and service) for obtaining an application form or submitting application form, making a FIR in police stations etc).

Source: Vittal, N "Combatting Corruption", SEMINAR, No. 485; http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/485/485%20vittal.htm