56 per cent women bemoan corruption in basic services

At least 56 per cent women across the country, of whom a whopping 72 per cent are from Karnataka, complain of rising corruption in delivery of essential services, a survey by a media watchdog has revealed.

The survey found that these women, involved in running households, had a nasty brush with corrupt officials at least once during 2013, the survey released on Friday noted. The number of victims of corrupt pra­ctices rose by two per cent since the last survey in 2008, when 54 per cent women comp­lained of the unwelcome experience.

The latest survey covered 2,400 women, across eight states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan – during 2013.The study focused on eight public utility services – drinking water, electricity, Public Distribution System, health care, housing, civic amenities, police and judiciary.

Karnataka is followed by Chhattisgarh, with 65 per cent women reporting corruption while dealing with officers of public utilities, up from 40 per cent in 2008. Sixty-six per cent women said that they or members of their family faced a demand for bribe at least once in the last 12 months, while 24 per cent reported two such encounters. “Eight out of every ten households that were asked for bribes had no option but to pay up to avail the desired public service. Women respondents complained that at five out of eight public services, 20 to 25 per cent of them had to pay bribe or use influence to avail services,” the study said.

The highest percentage of service denial was in Karnataka (eight per cent), followed by Madhya Pradesh (seven per cent), despite the Right to Public Services Act being in force.

“State-wise, the highest amount of bribe demanded in public services is in Bihar (Rs 10,000 for housing), Chhattisgarh (Rs 30,000 – police verification for jobs), Delhi (Rs 10,000 – police verification) and Karnataka (Rs 10,000 – by police for removal of name from the list of accused),” it said.