The Higher the Salary – The Higher the Bribe

Does Increasing Salaries Reduce Corruption...? 

Or – Does Increasing Salaries Increase Corruption...?

Sometime ago – on TV – I saw a politician justifying a huge salary hike for politicians.

He gave the justification that giving high salaries will reduce corruption and make politicians honest. 

Do you believe that increasing salaries of politicians will make them honest...? 

A similar argument is made for government employees as well.

It is argued that individuals are corrupt because they get low salaries – and – if salaries are increased – “Hey Presto” – corrupt persons will instantly turn honest – and corruption will reduce to zero.

Well – all this reminded me of my blog post based on an article on Ethics I had written 21 years ago on 1995.

DOES INCREASING SALARIES REDUCE CORRUPTION...?
Musings on Ethics
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Someone asked me: 

“Will increasing salaries of government employees reduce corruption...?”

In response – I said to him: 

“If you increase salaries – it will not reduce corruption – but the size of the bribe will increase...”

The honesty and integrity of a person is in no way correlated with material status.

Government Employees are paid enough salaries to live a decent standard of living.

Once a person is corrupt by nature – the dictum is: 

“The Higher the Salary – The Higher the Bribe”

This has been the experience – as can be seen by the number of rich politicians and top bureaucrats involved in scams. 

Do they turn scrupulously honest when they are paid more salaries and when they get rich...?

Or – do they become even more corrupt and start indulging in bigger scams...? 

For Government Employees – Salaries are increased substantially in every Pay Commission (CPC). 

Has corruption gone down after every Pay Commission...? 

Or – has corruption gone up over the years despite increase in salaries...?

Moral Values have got nothing to do with the amount you earn...” 

This conversation reminded me of an article I had written on PRACTICAL ETHICS 21 years ago in 1995 (based on my lecture notes when I taught BUSINESS ETHICS and my papers on ETHICS presented by me at various seminars) and posted on my blogs a number of times – in various posts and articles.

Here is an extract from the article. 

STATUS/POSITION vs MORAL VALUES/ETHICAL STANDARDS – Musings By Vikram Karve

When I joined the Navy – many of us confused “Rank, Position and Status” with “Ethical and Moral Standards”.

We young officers were naive and idealistic.

We assumed that just because an officer had been promoted to high rank – it could be ipso facto presumed that he had high moral values and ethical standards.

We were wrong in presuming this.

Soon – after seeing media reports about a number of senior military officers embroiled in scams – and observing some of our seniors indulging in unethical activities – we realized that our presumption – linking ethics with rank – was wrong – and – status and position should not be confused with standards of morality.

This is true in the civilian world as well.

The honesty and integrity of a person is in no way correlated with his intellectual development – or his position in the hierarchy – or material factors like wealth, rank, seniority, status, success. 

Almost every day we see news about high ranking politicians, bureaucrats, military officers and other “distinguished” persons with high status, and in top positions, getting embroiled in Scams and indulging in unethical activities.

Have you not read news about even the most intellectually gifted persons (like Vice Chancellors of Universities) getting embroiled in corrupt activities? 

A quote by Alexander Orlov sums it up in a nutshell:

“Honesty and Loyalty may be often more deeply ingrained in the make-up of simple and humble people than in men of high position. 

A man who was taking bribes when he was a constable does not turn honest when he becomes the Chief of Police – the only thing that changes is the size of the bribe. 

Weakness of character and inability to withstand temptation remains with the man no matter how high he climbs.” 

It is true – isn’t it? 

A person’s Values and Ethical traits accompany a man to the highest rungs of his career.

You see so many poor persons who are honest – and you observe so many rich persons who are corrupt. 

This is because – whether a person becomes corrupt or not depends on his values – and not on his needs.

Also – in today’s world – corruption has no social stigma. 

A rich and wealthy corrupt man gets more respect in society than a poor man who is honest.

That is why you must not confuse status and position with standards of morality and ethics.

An individual’s outward status has got nothing to do with his inner values.

So – increasing salaries may result in the opposite of the desired objective of reducing corruption – and – may result in increasing corruption – as exemplified by the dictum: 

“The Higher the Salary – The Higher the Bribe” 

Dear Reader: Do you agree...? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This blog post is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Extract of my article on ETHICS written by me Vikram Karve 21 years earlier in the year 1995 and posted by me online a number of times including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/ethics_296512_blog  and  https://karve.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/practical-ethics/  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/honesty-integrity-and-corruption.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/12/status-and-position-versus-moral-values.html and http://vikramwamankarve.blogspot.in/2008/12/managerial-ethics-food-for-thought.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/12/will-increasing-salaries-reduce.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/does-increasing-salaries-reduce.html etc

Can Corruption be Eradicated...?

Whenever I see media reports of rampant corruption and scams in all spheres of life – even in the Defence Services – I sometimes wonder why corruption cannot be eradicated – and then – I remember this article I had written long back... 

CORRUPTION IN A NUTSHELL

FORMULA for CORRUPTION

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A FORMULA FOR CORRUPTION 

One morning while browsing through my old diaries I chanced upon something interesting – a formula for corruption which was told to me by one of my colleagues long back – and – which I had jotted down in my diary.

Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability

Or simply put:

C = M + D – A

where

Corruption (C) equals Monopoly Power (M) plus Discretionary Power (D) minus Accountability (A)

 

I had posted this corruption formula earlier in my blog. 

REVISED FORMULA for CORRUPTION

 

After observing the proliferating corruption and scams – I thought about it – and  – I realized that I had missed out one very important aspect – which should feature in the corruption formula – TRANSPARENCY.

 

Yes – I feel that TRANSPARENCY can help reduce corruption – especially in this age of Information Technology and Internet.

 

So – here is my Revised Formula for CORRUPTION

 

Corruption = Monopoly + Discretion – Accountability – Transparency

Or simply put:

C = M + D – A – T

where

Corruption (C) equals Monopoly Power (M) plus Discretionary Power (D) minus Accountability (A) minus Transparency (T)

Do have a look around and see for yourself whether this formula is really applicable. 

Or – would you like to add some are other factors too which contribute to corruption?

HOW TO CONTROL CORRUPTION

Going by this formula – it seems to be very easy to reduce corruption – isn’t it...? 

In order to reduce corruption – you simply have to:

1. Reduce Monopoly (by increasing competition)

 

2. Eliminate Discretionary Powers to give or to withhold largess (by fair and participatory decision making) 

3. Fix precise and proper Accountability (by proper rules and regulations)

4. Ensure Total Transparency (especially thorough widespread use of Information Technology).

If it is indeed so simple to control corruption, then why don't we do it?

WHY CORRUPTION IS NOT BEING CONTROLLED

The reason why no one wants to control corruption is quite clear.

Most people – especially the powers-that-be – they benefit from corruption.

In fact – a large section of society – so many people – they all thrive on corruption.

And nowadays – there is no social stigma attached to corruption.

If you look around, you will observe that so many corrupt persons who are involved in scams and amassed huge amounts of wealth seem to have a respectable place in society and enjoy great social status.

This is because in the present-day social scenario – it is the triumvirate your Power, Wealth and Fame – which determine your status in society.

In today’s world – things like honesty, integrity and character will not earn you much respect. 

In fact, you may be dubbed a fool if you are honest and straightforward.

So – many people benefit from corruption. 

So – why should anyone want to eliminate corruption?

The fact of the matter is that most people are happy with corruption and they have no interest in eradicating corruption.

Think about it. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This is a Re-Post of my article posted online by me online earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/corruption-made-simple-mathematical.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/10/corruption-in-nutshell-part-1-formula.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-reduce-corruption-corruption.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/05/formula-for-corruption.html etc

Is India a Soft State...?

IS INDIA A SOFT STATE...?

IS OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS OKAY...?

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When we were in the Navy – we were taught that safety and security was everyone’s business. 

If we found anything amiss – anywhere on the ship – we intervened immediately to redress the issue. 

We did not adopt a “chalta hai” lackadaisical attitude – nor did we indulge in “jurisdictional” quibbling – saying it is not my part of ship – so it is none of my business – or – why should I poke my nose into someone else’s affairs.

On a Ship – Safety and Security was everybody’s business – because if there was a lapse – we would all “sink” together to the Davy Jones’s Locker at the bottom of the sea.

In today’s environment the same dictum holds true for you and me in the civilian world as well – security is your business – security is my business – security is everyone’s business.

In the distant past – security was the business of the security forces. 

The defence forces were responsible for “external” security – and it was the job of the police to maintain internal law and order.

If you lived in a “safe” civilian place – you were quite secure – and it was the security forces who faced the dangers fighting the adversaries.

Recent events, over the past few years, have shown that this is no longer true – and each one of us is vulnerable.

So – it is high time each one of us became security conscious because in today’s environment security is everyone’s business.

There are Three Weak Spots (or Achilles’ Heels) that undermine security consciousness and make us a Soft State:

1. “Chalta Hai”  Casual Attitude

2. Corruption

3. Lenient Merciful Forgiving System 

1. “CHALTA HAI” CASUAL ATTITUDE

Rules are in place but you don’t bother to follow them because of your “Chalta Hai” Casual Attitude

Let me give you an example.

There is a rule that when you rent out your house you are required to get police verification of antecedents of your tenants and proper registration of the rent deed or lease agreement done in the prescribed manner.

When we insisted that this rule be scrupulously followed in our residential society there was a deluge of protests from the non-resident owners [investors who have purchased flats for renting out (now-a-days non-resident “investors” heavily outnumber resident “end-user” owners in most new housing societies, at least in Pune)].

They protested that this “unnecessary harassment” of tenants was affecting rental rates in our society.

When we explained to them that this was a mandatory security requirement they scoffed at us saying that we were being “dogmatic” and they scornfully told us that generally no one followed this rule.

Because of such casual attitudes towards security, it is no wonder that it is so easy for undesirable persons to rent a house and find a place to stay from where they can plan and conduct their nefarious activities.

Do you insist on police verification of antecedents of the people you employ at home, in your workplace and in your neighbourhood or residential society?

If you find a suspicious vehicle parked near your house or workplace or you see something irregular, a suspicious new structure or encroachment or an unknown person appearing suddenly, will you report it to the police – or will you look the other way saying it is none of your business and it is the job of the police.

Of course – the police are doing their job – but haven’t you too got some responsibility towards security.

Remember, God forbid, if something bad happens – it can be you – or your near and dear ones who may be casualties.

2. CORRUPTION

One of the main reasons why India is considered a “Soft State” and easy target is the rampant corruption prevalent at all levels.

If you pay a bribe anything is possible.

Conversely: If you do not pay a bribe – then it is difficult to get things done.

You may have seen news reports of how easy it is for illegal immigrants from foreign countries to obtain various identity documents and residential proof documents like PAN Card, Aadhaar UID Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Driving Licence etc by paying bribes.

It is cruel irony that whereas genuine honest bonafide citizens have to struggle to get these documents made, persons who are not citizens of this country manage to get them by paying bribes. 

Earlier it was a mystery to me as to how foreigners can so easily enter our country and comfortably settle down here and carry on their activities, but now the reason seems to be quite clear – Corruption.

Wherever you are, whatever post you hold, remember that when you take a bribe you may be compromising security.

And each time you give a bribe (as mamool or speed-money) you are establishing a Corrupt Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which can be detrimental to security.

Security Consciousness entails eradication of corruption and unless corruption is contained we cannot become secure and safe.

3. LENIENT MERCIFUL FORGIVING “SYSTEM”

Our system is lenient, merciful and forgiving in nature towards those accused, found guilty and convicted of undermining security. 

This had weakened the fear of law in the mind of criminals and anti-national elements. 

They know that even if they are caught, the process will be slow, the trial will take a long time, and there is a always a chance of bail and acquittal.

Even if they are found guilty and convicted they can always seek clemency to lighten the punishment and the lenient and merciful system is likely to be sympathetic, compassionate and benevolent in view of our forgiving nature. 

All this has reduced the deterrence effect of the law. 

This absence of fear of the law has emboldened criminals and hostile elements which is very detrimental to our security.

CONCLUSION 

Security is everyone’s business so we must do our bit to eliminate the three weak spots (or Achilles’ Heels) that undermine security consciousness and make India a Soft State.

1. Let us get rid of our “Chalta Hai” Casual Attitude towards Security.

2. Let us strive to Eradicate Corruption.

3. Let us stop showing Misplaced Compassion and be less merciful towards those Undesirable Criminals and Inimical Elements who undermine our security. Let us have a “Zero Appeasement” Policy towards undesirable elements who undermine national security. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Re-post of my article posted in this blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/04/why-india-is-soft-state-our-attitude.html