INDIA Ranks 74 Worldwide in Corruption

Corruption - A unstoppable termite to our nation, states, government

India has been ranked a lowly 74, two steps down since last year, among 180 countries of the world on the worldwide Corruption Perceptions Index(CPI), prepared by independent international agency Transparency International, which tracks the prevalence of corruption in the world.

Of some consolation is the fact corruption is much higher in Pakistan, which occupies 140th place, a little above Iran, Libya and Nepal, which are ranked 133,134 and 135 respectively, Russia, on the other hand, is ranked 145.

Meanwhile China, which is ranked a joint 72 with India in 2007, slid a step down to occupy a place 'above' its neighbour this year, with Sri Lanka ranked 96 and Maldives 90.The least corrupt country in the region is the nascent democracy of Bhutan, which has been placed at 41st spot. Myanmar and Somalia, however, qualify as the most corrupt nations in the world.

CORRUPTION IN INDIA

The level of corruption is "alarming" in the states of Assam, Bihar, J&K, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, says a new syrvey based on experience of BPL households in availing various public services last year.

The 'India Corruption Study 2007', brought out by NGOs Transparency International India (TII) and Centre for Media Studies(CMS), found that about one-third of Below Poverty Line(BPL) households in the country bribed officials to avail a total of 11 services - from police to PDS.

According to the survey,which covered 22,728 households in all states and Union Territories, Rs.883 crore was estimated to have been paid as bribe by BPL households last year.

The report grouped states into four levels on extent of corruption - alarming,very high, high, and moderate. While five states come into the "alarming" category, the corruption level is "moderate" in states like Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Harayana, and West Bengal, the survey found.

Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu fall into the "very high" group, according to the report that took into account corruption experienced by poor families while availing basic service like PDS, hospital, electricity, and water supply as also need-based services like land records and registration, housing, banking and police service.