Subject: Governance

India's declining position in the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (ranked 96th with a score of 38 in 2024) reflects the complex interplay of various factors affecting public morality. Let's analyze the multifaceted causes behind this concerning trend.

Legal Factors

• Weak Implementation: Despite robust anti-corruption laws like the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, their implementation remains inadequate with 6,903 corruption cases pending trial in courts.
• Judicial Delays: The fact that 361 cases are pending for over 20 years demonstrates the systemic inefficiencies in legal redressal.
• Regulatory Gaps: Despite amendments like the PCA Amendment 2018, which criminalized bribe-giving, enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

Political Factors

• Political-Business Nexus: The unholy alliance between political class and business interests has led to policy capture and corruption.
• Electoral Funding: Lack of transparency in political funding and the dominance of money power in elections undermines democratic integrity.
• Bureaucratic Red-tape: Complex administrative procedures and excessive discretionary powers create opportunities for rent-seeking behavior.

Social Factors

• Social Acceptance: The normalization of corruption as a way of life, reflected in the 74,203 graft complaints received by CVC in 2023.
• Power Distance: Hierarchical social structures create unequal power relationships, leading to exploitation.
• Lack of Social Accountability: Weak civil society participation in governance oversight mechanisms.

Cultural Factors

• Gift Culture: The traditional practice of gift-giving often blurs the line between genuine appreciation and bribery.
• Reciprocal Obligations: Cultural norms of mutual favors and obligations, similar to Ghana's 'reciprocal appreciation' system.
• Family-centric Values: Prioritizing family interests over public good sometimes leads to nepotism and favoritism.

The road to improving public morality requires a multi-pronged approach combining institutional reforms with social transformation. The success of initiatives like e-governance, Right to Information Act, and recent anti-corruption measures like Prevention of Money Laundering Act shows that positive change is possible through sustained efforts and public participation.