The seal of corruption

Paying Bribe

A recent study, conducted by a private agency, rated motorists in Bangalore as paying the maximum bribe among all top Indian cities, to escape being fined for illegal parking and other offences.

This study was conducted in five cities across the country and Bangalore topped the list.  
The study said that a sum of Rs 378 is the average bribe paid by a Bangalorean.

While the traffic police claim that they have always asked people to insist on a receipt for spot fines, people say that they are forced to grease the hands of traffic cops when they are caught.

They say they are ashamed to be a part of a corrupt system. Metrolife asked the traffic police and a cross-section of Bangaloreans as to what they thought about the study.

M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic and safety), says that he has
always taken measures to check corruption among traffic cops.

Saleem says, “We have suspended a few traffic policemen who were caught taking bribe. As part of the anti-corruption campaign, we insist that people demand a receipt for spot fine.”

Saleem says that the traffic police has provided a number (080-22942276) where people can call in any time between 10 am and 8 pm to lodge a complaint against a corrupt police officer.

“But surprisingly, we haven’t got any calls till now. People are not supposed to
violate the rules in the first place and when they are caught, they must pay the fine rather than trying to get away,” adds Saleem.

Saleem points out that most of the cases booked are ‘contactless’ cases, meaning those cases where the offender is caught on camera and not physically by any cop.
“About 50 per cent of the offenders are caught on camera and the fine challan
is sent home. But not all offences can be caught on camera, like drunken driving for instance, where you do need police presence,” reasons Saleem.

But people are not ready to listen to any explanation by the traffic cops.

They wonder how they can have faith in the traffic personnel when they see traffic cops taking bribe.

Only a campaign against corruption will create an awakening among the people, they say.

Girish, a professor says, “It’s not a great thing to be the most corrupt city in India. I think the youth should take charge and initiate more campaigns against corruption.”

Vinod, a marketing professional, feels ashamed that the most popular city in the
country has a ‘corrupted’ seal on it.

He says, “I feel ashamed to know that Bangalore is the most corrupt city in India.
The political system needs to be revamped to ensure that corruption level is brought down drastically.”

Women too have the same view. They feel an Anna Hazare was long overdue in this country.

They’re happy that some beginning has been made to fight corruption. Meera Muralidhar, a research analyst says, “I wish we had a local Anna Hazare to protest against corruption. People must stop giving bribes and must fight against corruption.”