By Smt.Usha Padhee, IAS
Bhubaneswar:I remember a fable about a king attempting to curb corruption within his kingdom. The story begins with a gatekeeper demanding bribes from anyone entering the city. The king, discovering this, reassigned the guard to the kitchens, hoping he’d leave corruption behind. Yet, undeterred, the soldier continued his greedy ways, overcharging for subpar vegetables. In frustration, the king moved him to a seemingly harmless task: ringing the bell each hour at the palace tower. Even there, the soldier found a way to exploit his post—adjusting the timing of the bell to favor different family members, each according to the bribes received. The tale concludes with a somber truth: where there’s a will for corruption, a way will follow.
Back then, I wondered why the king didn’t simply punish the soldier. Now, after years in government service, I understand. In governance, it’s not only the integrity of individuals that matters but also the robustness of systems.
One example comes to mind of how a simple systemic change can reduce corruption. Years ago, Shri Chinmaya Basu, the then Panchayat Raj Secretary, introduced reforms to address corruption in welfare pension distribution at the village level. First, he mandated that pensions be distributed on a fixed day each month ( getting an idea from Ms. Anu Garg, the then Collector, Bargarh). Second, he ensured the payments were made in single 100-rupee notes, as the pension amount was exactly one hundred rupees. These changes made the process more transparent, giving recipients a clear expectation of when and how much they’d receive. By limiting arbitrary delays and the possibility of small deductions (often a 10-rupee “commission”), This reforms showed how clear systems could guard against corruption.
Today, technological innovations allow us to further reduce human interference and discretion. Consider how railway reservations evolved with digitization, creating fair access for all. In governance, we’re taught that government monopoly combined with excessive discretion breeds corruption. By allowing quality service delivery through public-private partnerships, such as in healthcare or education, we reduce this risk. The role of government is best focused on providing public goods—services like national security that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, benefiting everyone without depletion.
Public servants occupy a privileged position: we have job security, social respect, and, most importantly, the power to make a positive impact on citizens’ lives. A commitment to ethical governance not only fulfills our duties but also contributes to a healthier society. For a corruption-free government, we need systems that are citizen-centric and resistant to abuse. At the same time, ethical integrity among individuals is essential for these systems to function as intended.
This year’s Vigilance Awareness Week, beginning October 28, reminds us that while robust systems are crucial to reducing corruption, ethics lie at the heart of meaningful change. As we aim for a developed India, fostering a culture of integrity will be key to transforming this year’s theme—“Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity”—into reality.