The ten headed hydra of corruption

Swaraj can be implemented only at the bottom as its definition necessitates implementation by the people.  But I don't think the common man at the bottom can do much about the major chunk of corruption that happens at more central levels where the control of large funds and decisions that involve huge tenders etc are involved.  In a Swaraj scenario, perhaps the only thing that the aam aadmi at the bottom can do is to initiate a referendum to RECALL the representative or minister who is indulging in the corruption.  

Putting a stop to corruption is more effective when implemented strongly at a central level. For example, the corruption in places like sub-registrar's office, RT office and Village Office cannot be eliminated if at the bottom level, a few honest employees or a few customers refuse to comply with the corrupt practices.  These 'Honest Joes' will be duly ostracized and even physically harmed by the majority who make up and benefit from the corrupt system.   However, a strong stand by a principled minister - someone with tenacity and guts like Mr Sudheeran - can make a difference - as it seems to be happening with the case of the 418 bars that were continuing to flout laws despite repeated directives and warnings.   Another example is our Transport Commissioner,  Mr Rishiraj Singh - who was able to, all by himself, implement traffic rule compliance to a significant extent and even reduce mortality from road accidents.  E Sreedharan who was in charge of the Delhi Metro was able to resist corrupt intervention from politicians and the results were therefore everyone to see.

Therefore corruption can be dealt with only by an enlightened minister or top bureaucrat who has the guts and honesty to enforce the laws strictly.  At the Swaraj level, all we can do is to make sure that we elect only honest people for top level administration.  In the Swaraj that we envisage, suitable logistics should be in place to ensure that only honest people are sent up to the higher administrative positions.  

It is also important that people at the ground level are convinced about the utter necessity of honesty and incorruptibility at executive levels. If as Ratheesh has correctly pointed out, 90% of aam aadmis may be beneficiaries of corruption (although they may be equally harmed by it), a tough task lies ahead to enlighten the community about the ultimate counterproductivity of corruption even for the very corrupt.  For this, those of us who believe that corruption is not a viable strategy at any level and doesn't help in the long run and is the major obstacle to development and progress should not only join hands but also try to recruit honest people from all political parties to create a common force of probity that could eventually acquire sufficient strength to defeat the mighty stranglehold of institutionalized corruption in the country.