Corruption, overlooked in India, shocks New Jerseyans.

published in The South Asian Times
by Ashok Ojha

As 44 people, many of them public officials in city administrations, walked handcuffed before cameras, Americans, especially New Jerseyans were shocked to see a huge corruption scandal unfolding. It was evident that corruption spread far and wide in the administrative network of the state. Among public officials arrested were Mayor Petr J. Cammarano of Hoboken, Mayor Dennis Elwell of Secaucus, Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith of Jersey City.

Most of charges arose in Hudson county. President of the city council in Jersey City, Mariano Vega Jr. and City's Deputy Mayor, Leona Beldini were also arrested. Anthony Suarez, Mayor of Ridgefield in Bergen County was charged with accepting bribe of $10,000. Federal investigators charged dozens of public officials and political aides in New Jersey and members of the Syrian Jewish Community in Brooklyn and Deal. Joseph Doria, state consumer affairs director, resigned after authorities searched his home and office. One businessman accused of trying to broker the purchase of a kidney for $160,000, told an undercover investigator that he had been brokering the sale of organs for ten years. The undercover approached other officials such as Mayors, to accept bribes.

These officials, who were elected by the people to run local governments and provide civic amenities in an honest manner, were shadowed by the investigating authorities. While in power they succumbed to pay offs and favored interest groups and contractors. It is conclude that a culture of corruption existed in New Jersey. Robert Botti became Mayor of Union City in 1982 after his predecessor sentenced to seven years for seeking bribes for school construction contracts. He rigged bids for school janitorial contractors, earned an 18 month prison sentence. Botti was one of the public officials who were investigating in the corruption cases.

The scandal has so deeply created an impact in the state that the ruling Democratic party is finding difficult to face its electorates. Political pundits believe that Governor Jon Corzine's good work is overshadowed by the corruption scandal during the campaign for the forthcoming Gubernatorial election.

The uncovering of the scandal in New Jersey was made possible by relenting efforts of informers working for federal investigating agencies. The United States has a long tradition of investigating corruption in high places and effectively collecting proofs of corruption at the highest levels including the White House. In contrast, the investigating agencies in India are so handicapped, negligible number of corrupt officials have so far been prosecuted while fewer of them were ever brought to justice.

Those of us who have lived through numerous instances of political corruption in India are no longer shocked by the enormity of such cases, the most recent of which involved an IT company, Satyam that attracted worldwide attention. The former Chief Minister of Bihar state who was prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation, an investigating arm directly reporting to the Prime Minister's office, was later became a celebrated minister in a Congress led government in Delhi.

Indira Gandhi, the late prime minister of India, once said that corruption was a worldwide phenomenon. Her utterances were seen as legitimizing corruption in public offices. She faced public wrath when a nationwide movement was launched against her on the issue of corruption that resulted into declaration of emergency rule by her and was subsequently defeated in the 1977 general election.

Four decades later corruption still dogs the political and financial sectors of the world's largest democracy. Overlooking the impact of corrupt practices most Indians continue to be benefited by corruption for short term benefits created long term consequences.

India ranks 85th in a corruption perception index created by the nonprofit anti graft group Transparency International, worse than China, Mexico or Brazil. Transparency International estimates that truckers pay annually $5 billion in bribes. In 2008, Washington Times reported that nearly a fourth of the 540 members of Indian parliament faced criminal charges, such as, human trafficking, immigration rackets, rape and even murder. In Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2002, candidates with criminal records won the majority of seats.

Officials often steal state property. In Bihar, more than 80% of the subsidized food aid to poor is stolen. An investigation into top officials at the All India Council for Technical Education, a group created by the government to improve the vocational skills of India’s youth, uncovered 36 bank accounts that were used to hide illicit cash.

India has its share of upright officers who were credited to have challenged the politicians and the corrupt culture of Indian administration. Ashwini Kumar, the current chief of CBI is one of the few such officers. After he took office, his agency arrested dozens of bank managers, bureaucrats, engineers and contractors on suspicion of crimes including accepting bribes, forging documents and stealing petroleum. Kumar's zeal earned him media coverage, including one in New York Times.

Unfortunately, most of the investigating agencies lack enthusiasm like Ashwini Kumar to fight corruption. Unlike USA Indian agencies rarely dare to shadow a corrupt politicians or a powerful official. After pressure from private citizens and the judiciary the Government of India directed the Central Vigilance Commission to and protect those who chose to challenge corruption in high places. The Administrative Reforms Commission also suggested to encourage and protect those who dared to expose corruption.