Among public services, police most corrupt, says survey

More than one-third of the households who approached police in the past one year had to pay bribes, a survey has found.

According to the survey, CMS-India Corruption Study 2017, police had topped the list of public services where people experienced corruption the most. “Police service continue to be riddled with corruption,” it said, adding 34% of the households which interacted with police had to pay bribe at least once.

According to the study, 36% of those who bribed police did it for registering FIR at an average amount of Rs 2,214. Another 23% paid an average of Rs 2,450 for removing names from accused’s list or to avoid arrest while 25% paid an average of Rs 822 for avoiding fine or penalty.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of those who dealt with housing or land related services claimed paying bribe, taking the second spot in the list. Judicial services has a score of 18%, while tax department (urban), hospitals 8% and banking services have 7% among others.

“Also noticeable is the fact that most of the public services, where more proportion of service-seeking households end up paying bribe are need-based public services, and monopolistic in nature. Households have no option, but to avail their services,” the study noted. It said there are no alternatives to such public services, but efforts taken to bring more transparency and efficiency in their service delivery such as computerised land records, e-stamp paper (land/housing) or e-FIR (Police) might further help in curbing corrupt practices in these public services.

“Public services having social media such as Facebook and Twitter accounts, also provide an opportunity to citizens to share their grievances and draw notice of concerned officials. This in turn keeps service providers on alert against any misdoings or misdeeds/corrupt practices by any staff or middlemen,” the survey suggested.