Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: Corruption and Unethical Acts

This article is about responsibility, accountability and culpability for Corruption – but the same is applicable universally for all omissions, commissions and actions of an organisation – where the “Top Man” must take full responsibility and be held accountable and culpable – and he should not abdicate responsibility and pass the buck to his juniors.

Dear Reader : Here is an article I had written around 9 years ago – once more – for reflection...

CORRUPTION – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE…?

Musings of a Veteran on CORRUPTION and CULPABILITY

VIKRAM KARVE

Whenever there is a scam – it is quite amusing to see top leaders abdicate responsibility and blaming their juniors.

It seems to have become a standard leadership practice to dodge responsibility for scams, bribery and the corrupt activities – and pass the buck by blaming their juniors who are made scapegoats.

However – from the ethical point of view – if there is a scam – the TOP MAN (Head of the Organization) cannot escape culpability – and the TOP MAN must be held accountable for corruption in the organization which he heads.

When Corruption takes place – there can be four scenarios – as far as the Top Leadership – or “TOP MAN” – is concerned:

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1. THE TOP MAN INITIATES THE CORRUPTION

The corruption/scam is done at the behest of the leader.

The “Top Man” initiates the corruption.

(of course – the corruption may be implemented on ground by morally pliable juniors).

Thus – in this case – it is the “Top Man” who is directing and presiding over the corruption – and the obsequious, subservient and “flexible” subordinates facilitating, helping and participating in carrying out the corruption – and also enjoying their share of the “pie” in the loot.

If you observe the various scams in the news these days – you will realize that most present day corruption falls in this category – it is the leader who initiates corruption.

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2. THE TOP MAN IS INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPTION

A corruption “system” (systemic corruption) may already be in place in an organization – and the “Top Man” joins in and becomes a part of it.

The “Top Man” starts participating in the corruption.

Here is an illustrative example:

“X” joined as the Boss of an inspection organization on deputation.

He had not served in that organization before.

At the end of the first month – “X” he found an envelope with money in his drawer.

On inquiring, he was told that this was his “share” in the “hafta” or “mamool”.

He took the envelope and put it in his briefcase.

Thus – the “Top Man” became a part of the “system”.

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3. THE TOP MAN TURNS A BLIND EYE TO THE CORRUPTION

The “Top Man” knows that there is corruption going on in his organization – but he turns a blind eye to the corruption.

He looks the other way – and he does nothing to stop the corrupt practices.

He does not want to “rock the boat” or “ruffle feathers” – so he lets the corruption happen unhindered.

Whereas in first and second examples of corruption – the “Top Man” (leader) was guilty of “commission” – in this case – the “Top Man” is guilty of “omission”.

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4. THE TOP MAN IS CLUELESS ABOUT THE CORRUPTION

The “Top Man” is so incompetent that he does not know what is going on in his organization – he is ignorant and clueless about the corruption happening in his organization.

It is possible that he may be faking innocence – pretending to be clueless and feigning ignorance to wriggle out of the situation as we see in some recent cases.

Even if he is genuinely clueless about the corruption in his organization – then he is not fit to head the organization and he must be sacked on grounds of incompetence.

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CONCLUSION

It is clear from the four cases elucidated above that the Leader or “Top Man” is fully responsible, accountable and culpable for corruption in his organization because:

It is the Top Man who “INITIATES the corruption”

The Top Man “is INVOLVED in the corruption”

The Top Man “turns a BLIND EYE to the corruption”

The Top Man “is CLUELESS about the corruption”

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Yes – it is the “Top Man” in the Organization who does one or more of the following:

1. He initiates the corruption.

2. He is involved in the corruption.

3. He turns a Blind Eye to the corruption and he lets the corruption happen unhindered.

4. He is Clueless about the corruption going on in his organization due to his incompetence and ineptitude...?

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Hence – it is the “Top Man” or Leader – who initiates – is involved in – turns a blind eye to – or – is clueless about corruption.

In all the four cases the Leader or “Top Man” must be held culpable for the corruption in his organization.

When a scam happens or corruption is prevalent in an organization – the Top Man cannot shirk responsibility and escape accountability.

Therefore – even if there is a whiff of a scam – or the slightest evidence of corruption in an organization – the “Top Man” must be held responsible, accountable and culpable – and he must resign – or be sacked immediately in order to envisage a fair and speedy investigation.

Before I end – let me tell you that in the Navy of yesteryear – the Captain or Commanding Officer was held responsible for anything and everything on his ship or shore establishment – and if anything went wrong – he was summarily sacked.

However – even in the Navy and other Defence Services – things have changed now – with the Military Leadership taking the cue from political and civilian leadership in the Art of “Management” of Corruption.

There are some exceptions – like a Navy Chief who resigned taking moral responsibility for accidents/mishaps – but in most cases – very few Senior Officers accept moral responsibility for corruption/wrongdoings happening under their command – they try to save their own skins and tend to pass the blame to their juniors.

So – the Military Top Brass is quick in taking the cue from Politicians and Bureaucrats.

In fact – it would be better of things were the other way around – and the political and civilian leadership imbibed values from the military – and this tradition of taking responsibility be followed by political leadership and civilian bureaucracy.

Whenever corruption or something wrong happens – the “Top Man” must be held accountable and punished – instead of passing on the blame to juniors.

If we wish to eradicate corruption in an organization (or in a country or state) – the only solution seems to be is to have a scrupulously honest leader – who is committed and decisive in eradicating corruption – and who is ruthless in punishing the corrupt.

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As I said in the beginning – this article is about responsibility, accountability and culpability for Corruption – but the same is applicable universally for all omissions, commissions and actions of an organisation – where the “Top Man” must take full responsibility and be held accountable and culpable – and he should not abdicate responsibility and pass the buck to his juniors.

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VIKRAM KARVE

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