The importance of having a concerted global approach towards the menace of corruption cannot be overstated. To this end, the United Nations General Assembly, in an historic decision on 31st October 2003, ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption. This led to the designation of December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day, a day set aside every year to raise awareness about corruption and the role of the convention in curbing and preventing it. Since the enforcement of the convention in 2005, this day has been observed annually across the globe. For the year 2019, the theme was ‘United Against Corruption.’
Understanding Corruption
Corruption is broadly explained as the misuse of entrusted power for personal gain. It is a social evil that pervades all aspects of societal life, affecting both developed and developing nations, albeit in varying degrees.
Global Corruption Data
According to statistics, corruption is a massive drain on global resources. It is estimated that a staggering $1 trillion is paid out in bribes globally each year. Additionally, approximately $2.6 trillion, which equates to more than 5% of the world’s GDP, is lost to corruption. In underdeveloped nations, it is believed that corruption siphons off funds that are about 10 times the amount of official development assistance received.
Corruption Statistics in India
India too presents an interesting case study. Results from the ‘India Corruption Survey 2019’, conducted by Transparency International India (TII) and LocalCircles, indicate some enlightening facts. The ratio of people who paid bribes experienced a slight decrease, falling from 58% in 2018 to 51% in 2019. However, this figure was higher than the 45% recorded in 2017.
| Year | % of population who paid bribes |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 45% |
| 2018 | 58% |
| 2019 | 51% |
Anti-Corruption Initiatives by India
India has also taken a number of steps in its fight against corruption. 2003 saw the Central Vigilance Commission become an autonomous statutory body through an Act of Parliament. Its role is to supervise the administration of vigilance and provide advice and support to the executive in issues related to corruption.
Several legislation such as the Right to Information Act 2005, Prevention of Corruption Act, Judges Inquiry Act, Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013 and others have been enacted to tackle corruption. Other efforts include the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2011 and the introduction of e-governance and direct benefit schemes.