'Corruption is difficult to prove in a public forum'

Bureaucrats excel in keeping their mouths shut when in service. They see a lot that’s blatantly wrong going on in their universe but they don’t talk about it. However, a retired bureaucrat is a different animal. Some can be positive goldmines of sparkling stories.

At a quiet dinner last week at a friend’s place, one such distinguished retired gentleman blew my mind with his stock of tales of wretchedness in public life. He told us tale after tale illustrating not just the fact of corruption but the steps through which crooked deals were sealed and delivered in Delhi. Unfortunately, I can’t share with you the specifics of what he said, including names of the powerful personalities involved, because the trouble with corruption is that it is difficult to prove in a public forum like a newspaper. It’s all done with a wink and a nod. No paper trails, no recorded transactions, it’s done in good faith by good fellas on whom we suckers place our faith to guide our destinies. But what he told us is well known to anyone who has to strike a deal in India.

Let me take you through one such transaction as best I can. A global multinational corporation wanted to introduce a certain technology to enhance its service package in India. That particular technology required government approval. So, the head of the corporation, after trying to convince layers of bureaucrats, went right up to the minister who would give the approval. He explained the details to the gentleman — a renowned politician of several years standing — and waited for a response. The minister thought for a moment, smiled, and acknowledged he had found the presentation truly impressive. He thought the service would indeed be good for the country. But he would like a fuller explanation of the process and wanted to meet the corporation’s chief.

The India head duly reported the matter to his bosses in London. They were thrilled. Sure, invite him over. The minister flew to London — just stopped by on his way to New York for an official meeting — to spend a few minutes with the top man of the corporation. They both came out of the meeting smiling. Those involved in the deal learned that the private settlement was for $50 million to be paid in rupees in Delhi.

Back in Delhi, a whole new process started. It seems there are just six guys in Delhi who arrange delivery of all such cheesy pizzas. One of the six — let’s call him Kalu — was chosen for this transaction and he laid out the rules of how and where the delivery was to be made. But, as the hot stuff was delivered, the government was unseated. Now what?

“No, no, don’t worry” said our minister to an anxious India head of the corporation. “I know the fellow who is coming in as minister. He is a reliable friend. He will take it up.” Clearly, the deal would not be affected by partisanship or silly ideological differences.

And thus the deal finally went through under the watch of the new minister from the succeeding government. Only, he changed the terms a bit because his share hadn’t been factored in earlier. The corporation doled out the extra cash and it was a done deal.

That, with minor alterations, was one of the memorable stories I heard that night. Not that India is the only country where it happens. In Britain they were agitating over allegations of huge bribery in connection with their biggest-ever defence contract, the Al-Yamamah deal with Saudi Arabia, even as British delegates to the inaugural conference of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Jordan were denouncing bribes and promising to fight corruption “wherever we find it — whether here or abroad”.

But a Bribe Payers’ Index, released by Transparency International earlier this year, of 30 emerging economies showed India topping the list. The study was conducted by polling 11,000 international executives who had to deal with real time sleaze around the globe.

We do have a system of checks and balances to fight corruption. Alas, mostly on paper. The executive and the legislature are primary players in the game, so they can’t really check each other; the judiciary at its lower levels is also compromised though at its highest levels it has shown a sense of purpose. Unfortunately, with a backlog of 30 million cases piled up in the courts, it moves with the deliberative speed of a glacier.

As for the fourth estate, for a variety of reasons corporate advertisers have become a pillar of support in media economics. We do occasionally point to official corruption but rarely these days do we speak of cynical corporate manipulation or outright disregard of rules and propriety. On the contrary, we tend to glorify corporate chieftains as the heroes of our era. Their lives, their styles, are the stuff of modern legends. We have taken the late Deng Xiaoping’s advice to heart, “To get rich is glorious.” It is, no doubt, but…

Well, happy holidays, everyone. ’Tis the season to be jolly. 

Email: gautam@dnaindia.net