How to get away with a 100+ crore pension fraud in Nagaland – Part II
Morung Express News
Kohima | October 31
The pension fraud in Zunheboto is just an indicator of the scale of corruption in Nagaland. For a State that may be regressing into Kleptocracy (Rule of thieves), it is easy to get away with fraud and corruption. Here are some reasons why:
“To me, corruption is selfishness, and today people are becoming more selfish to the extent of making money for themselves in the name of certain NGOs, public, union, association, federation, etc. The selfish people in power do not care for others, which leads to scams and corruption,” said Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate and Assistant Professor at Kohima Law College.
Lack of accountability
Khekiye K Sema, IAS (Rtd), viewed that the lack of accountability in the State machinery makes it easier for people to commit crimes without hesitation. “All these are becoming more rampant without any hesitation because many of the people committing this kind of crime are getting away without accountability and using political connections or using whatever connections they have in order to get away from the penalty of the crime. It is not supposed to be so, as far as a normal government is concerned,” said Sema.
According to him, Christian values and principles no longer guide the people, which make it easier for people to commit wrongs. “They are getting bold basically because there is no real accountability,” said Sema, adding that in such an environment nobody is afraid of the system, which in turn emboldens the perpetrators.
Government’s apathy
“The government is least bothered and so are the bureaucrats,” commented a government official, who wished to remain anonymous. This statement is further supplemented by Sema remarking that the system today is plagued by “a very unfortunate kind of feeling”—a delusional concept of authority and responsibility. “If you have power and authority and not use it for your own benefits then you are a fool.”
This attitude, according to Sema, is pervasive in the corridors of power, especially in the bureaucracy. He added that if this misconceived notion towards holding public office continues, the corruption cycle will never stop.
“The State Government is never serious about corruption and least bothered about controlling it,” affirmed Savi, citing the delay in the establishment of institutions such as the Lokayukta or even a State Human Rights Commission. While movements and organisations against corruption exist, administrative heads hardly make any wholehearted move, he added.
Stating that corruption in governance is criminal in nature, he noted that it is within the authority of administrative heads of departments to lodge criminal cases against corrupts officials, which is rarely the case.
The normalcy of corruption in Nagaland. Is the public getting used to it?
A police officer, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the people are used to corruption to the point of acceptance.
Sema agreed with the view. He further cited “tribalism.” “If they are connected to somebody or the other, within the community, the community becomes a little indifferent to it because they happen to be of the same tribe.”
Savi said that this acceptance of corruption has become so alarming that most people have become “indifferent as long as they acquire wealth for themselves.”
Failure to carry out bounden duty
Corruption is present in the government set up but measures to check it have been rare. The pension fraud is just one of many signifying a government’s failure to carry out its duty. The department of Treasuries & Accounts has a ‘Monitoring Cell’, which, according to the department, is an important tool in detecting malpractices. According to an official, who also wished not be named, the irony is that most often officers, who are supposed to check malpractices, are themselves corrupt.
Moreover, all five accused in the scam have successfully petitioned for bail on medical grounds.
The case which comes under the ‘Criminal breach of Trust’, Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code, by a public servant/banker/merchant or agent is punishable with life imprisonment, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and will be liable to fine.
Say NO to corruption: Vigilance Commissioner
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 31 (DIPR): “Corruption is cancer which every citizen must strive to cure,” stated the Vigilance Commissioner, Nagaland, KT Sukhalu IAS (Rtd) while presenting the keynote address on the first day of the Vigilance Awareness Week, here in Dimapur.
He observed that many new leaders on coming to power declare their determination to eradicate corruption, but soon they themselves become corrupt and start amassing huge wealth. Sukhalu said he was disheartened to see corrupt people, who after taking bribe, talk about high moral standards. He further said that there was a time when bribe was paid for getting wrong things done, but now is paid for getting the right things done at right time. Corruption, he said is not occurring at the highest levels of governance alone, but at every level.
Terming election as the root of corruption, Sukhalu appreciated the NBCC’s call for clean election. He was optimistic that various affiliated associations and churches across the state will carry forward the message to their respective members. He however, felt that the church should also introspect on the source of its funds.
He further urged NGOs to raise awareness and educate the public on corruption. The Commissioner termed the RTI as a powerful means to prevent corruption. While acknowledging that there are success stories of the RTI being used to tackle corruption; he however lamented that huge sums of money are being offered to the applicants and that document are being manipulated while being furnished by department officials.
Sukhalu pointed out that corruption came into being because a few individuals wanted to take a short cut and bend the rules for personal gain. Corruption persists, he said, because it continues unquestioned and because in every succeeding generation there have been people willing to pay for breaking the rules and also people willing to accept such payment.
We must remember that however much the corrupt insist on corruption, it can be rooted out by the public saying “No,” he stated.
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