[Assam] Assam & Corruption

[Ram Sarangapani]

Now that Assam has the dubious distinction of being the most corrupt state
in one of the most corrupt countries in the world, maybe people might want
to concentrate their efforts in aiming for 2nd place.

At the very least they could write high-flying articles in the AT and The
Sentinel and spearhead an 'anti-corruption' movement of sorts - you know,
instead of finding fault with clueless NRAs on lecture circuits and what not
:) :)



Below - 3 letters from some concerened citizens (RAs) in the Assam Tribune,
and one of them writes,

"May be just 5 to 10 per cent people are there who are honest. They know
what's going on, but are silent observers"



--Ram

______________________



Assam at top
 Sir, — Being an Assamese, I am so happy, glad and proud that at least in
one category, may be in the corruption category, Assam could secure top
place among all Indian States. Credit must go to some of our corrupt
politicians, some of our corrupt government officials, some of our corrupt
police personnel, some of our corrupt businessmen, some of our corrupt
public and mostly "not-concerned" attitude of the whole Assamese community.
Hope with efforts from all these and ourselves,we shall be able to
permanently cement the top position. —Yours etc., DR PRAFULLA C DEKA,
Noonmati, Guwahati.



Assam – the most corrupt State
 Sir,– This has reference to the letter 'Assam at top' by Dr Prafulla
Chandra Deka (AT, July 2). First of all, I would like to compliment him for
his style of presenting his concern over Assam, being the most corrupt State
among all the States and Union territories in India.

It's a matter of shame for the people of Assam. Almost in all the government
offices, we can feel the presence of corruption. From the highest authority
to peons, everybody thinks of earning some extra money. May be just 5 to 10
per cent people are there who are honest. They know what's going on, but are
silent observers. If you don't pay, your file doesn't even move, but if you
pay some handsome amount, you will see your job being done.

The problem with us is our attitude which has helped us to earn the dubious
distinction of the most corrupt State in the country. Our Chief Minister
says that there is corruption in all parts of India, and as Assam is also a
part of India, corruption is quite natural. But the question arises – why
can't we be different from others? Is it necessary that as other States are
corrupt so Assam should also be corrupt? The second important point is – why
Assam is at the top?

The only solution, as I feel, is public alertness. We have to do away with
our dirty habit of giving money to get our jobs done. Until and unless we
stop bribery, this problem will never end. A strong vigil on the corrupt
officials is very important. With evidences, matters should be reported to
the highest authority. If the highest authority is also of the same
character, immediately,it should be brougt to the notice of the
investigating agency.

The need of the hour is to take some stringent measures to uproot this evil,
or else, the day is not far when Assam will top the list of the most corrupt
State in Asia, and gradually in the world. —Yours etc., PABITRA BHUYAN,
Parvati Nagar, Tezpur.

(ii)
 Sir,– Epimenides said, all creatures are liars. Can we not say now that all
Assamese are corrupt as Assam has topped the list of most corrupt States of
the country? In fact, the city of Guwahati is built on corruption. The
University of Gauhati can introduce a subject for research on this topic. We
want to hear what our 'shining bright' Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi has to
say on this now. —Yours etc., GAUTAM BARUAH, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati.