WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?
Introduction: It is an ancient proverb. It figured in the famous Aesop’s Fable in the 6th century BC which is read worldwide even today. In that story there lived some rats in a house. And the inmates had a cat. It was a menace to the rats. One day the rats discussed to find a way to escape from the cat’s threat. Then one of them suggested if a bell is tied around the neck of the cat, it would ring and alert the rats. Nice idea! But which rat would dare to approach the cat and tie the bell?
Explanation: This funny, but thought-provoking moral in the fable still speaks well, and will continue to be there forever as it withstands the weather of time. We come across some persons in the government offices who demand bribe to do a job we wanted done. Even to get a community certificate from the district Tahsildar office, one has to cough some folding money, or otherwise the concerned staffs there would make one run from pillar to post.
Similarly to get a, “Not traceable” certificate from the police about a missing document, one is compelled to shed money. What is the remedy to this prevailing ill-fated situation? How to overcome it?
Though there is a special cell called, “Anti corruption Wing” in the police department where one can lodge a complaint and follow the guidance given by them that would nab the corrupt staffers red-handed, how many people do that? Why this dirty practice cannot be curbed out?
It, again, reminds one the problems faced by the rats. Here the rats are the general public and the cat is the corrupt government staffer. Even to do his/her duty one had to lure him/her with money.
Not only the staffers in the lower rung, but the ministers, chief ministers, even the Prime Minister and judges were also accused of taking bribe. Nowadays it is difficult to give a clean chit to any politicians. The assets of the politicians were not known to the public before. Now the Election Commission had made it mandatory that those who contest in the election must submit their assets in B &W.
Nevertheless, the corruption goes on unabated. Hence, Anna Hazare’s ongoing war about the implementation of a strong Lokpal Bill is yet to be considered in both the houses of the Parliament.
It happened in many foreign countries also. Former President of USA, Richard Nixon was accused of the Watergate Scandal. But unlike in India, when it was exposed, Nixon was stripped off his post. But how many politicians in India were tossed behind the bars despite their breach of trust and privilege? Our Indian rules are so soft and malleable. In spite of the opposition party’s protest demanding for a Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) probe, the ruling party never heeded to.
Gibbon had said, “Corruption is the most infallible symptom of constitutional Liberty.”
Conclusion: Never encourage corrupt people. They are to be treated like beggars.
Lodge a complaint with the Anti Corruption Cell at Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) wing, when you are forced to part with money by these greedy, shameless people.