Complaints against corrupt government officials by women low, shows data

While the number of trap cases by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has increased from a mere 407 last year to 936 this year between January and September 26, the number of women complainants is surprisingly only a handful.

What's the number of women complainants?
If the recent data by the ACB is anything to go by, of the 900-odd complainants in the state, only 28 have been women, ie just 3% of the total number of complainants.

What reasons have been attributed for the low figure?
This is attributed to the fear among women to challenge a corrupt official, and also to the limited interaction between women and government officials.
Director general of ACB Praveen Dixit said, "It's a good number (28) this year as there were hardly any women complainants last year. Women in rural areas are more active in complaining against officials than women in urban areas."

Men victims vs women victims: What do officials say?
However, officers believe when it comes to seeking bribe, there is no gender discrimination. A senior ACB officer said, "Women are as much victims as men. It is not true that officials do not seek bribe from women. In fact, many a times, women are targeted more. It could be that fear is holding them back from complaining."
Adding that more women should come forward in complaining against corrupt officials, Dixit said, "We have been encouraging women to come forward with complaints. There is a possibility that they are not aware of the procedure to file a complaint. We have been creating awareness to ensure they file complaints without fear."

Complainants' break-up
Among the 900-odd complainants, 12 are senior citizens, 12 are physically challenged, and 93 are from the backward classes. The ACB officers said efforts are on to encourage these categories to file more complaints. "Physically challenged and aged people are very vulnerable and are soft targets for corrupt officials. All of them should come forward," said a senior ACB officer.

SIDE STORY
Mumbai least corrupt city in state?

Mumbai has recorded 65 trap cases this year between January and September 26, the lowest among all districts. Nashik has recorded the highest number with 170 trap cases, followed by Pune with 156.
Despite the city being heavily populated and various government organisations and machineries working round the clock in Mumbai, the numbers are quite surprising.
Director general of ACB Praveen Dixit said, "In Mumbai, corruption is of a different nature. The bribe give and take happens in such a way that both parties benefit." Hence, there is no question of complaints being raised. He also attributes the numbers to the general lethargy and ignorance among people.
A senior ACB officer said, "Those who have money don't mind giving bribes. Those who don't are so lost in the humdrum of city life that they don't know how to approach and file a complaint. The urban crowd has always been ignorant and lackadaisical in that sense, mainly because they feel they have better things to do that arrest a corrupt officer. This mindset has to change."

In numbers
Cases in state between Jan 1 and Sept 26, 2014
Mumbai: 65
Amravati: 99
Thane: 105
Nanded: 105
Nagpur: 108
Aurangabad: 128
Pune: 156
Nashik: 170

Category-wise distribution between Jan 1 and Sept 26, 2014
Women complainants: 28
Senior citizens: 12
Physically challenged: 12
Backward class: 93
Others: 791