Is corruption the biggest threat to India’s future?, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The recent National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak has reignited public debate on corruption and accountability in India.
• Experts highlight that corruption persists across all levels, despite the introduction of digitalization and the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• The RTI Act has been significantly weakened by judicial interpretations and the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
• Anti-corruption institutions such as Lokpal, Lokayukta, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are perceived as largely ineffective.
• Judicial delays and the lack of stringent punishment contribute to corruption being a "low-risk, high-profit" activity in India.
• India's low standing in the Rule of Law Index underscores the systemic challenges posed by pervasive corruption to national development.

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Detailed Insights:

• Digitalization, while aiming to curb corruption, has sometimes created new layers of intermediaries, particularly for marginalized citizens seeking government services.
• The absence of a robust grievance redressal mechanism and a dedicated law hinders citizens' ability to report corruption and ensure timely resolution.
• The Prevention of Corruption Act was amended in 2018, introducing Section 17A, which mandates prior government sanction to investigate public servants for corruption.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, by expanding the definition of "personal information," restricts access to data previously available under the RTI Act.
• Appointments of Information Commissioners have faced criticism for lacking transparency, thereby compromising the independence and efficacy of information commissions.
• The India Against Corruption movement of 2011-2012 galvanized public demand for stronger anti-corruption laws and the establishment of the Lokpal.
• The perceived selective targeting of opposition figures by agencies like the CBI and ED raises concerns about the impartiality of anti-corruption efforts.
• Corruption imposes a substantial human cost by impeding access to fundamental rights and services like healthcare, education, and public distribution systems.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET): A national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India.
• Right to Information (RTI) Act: A 2005 law empowering citizens to access information from public authorities to promote transparency and accountability.
• Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: An Indian law governing the processing of digital personal data, impacting information disclosure under RTI.
• Lokpal: An anti-corruption ombudsman body in India, tasked with inquiring into corruption allegations against public functionaries.
• Prevention of Corruption Act: An Indian parliamentary act designed to combat corruption within government agencies and public sector undertakings.
• Rule of Law Index: An annual report by the World Justice Project that measures adherence to the rule of law in various countries globally.