Educating young can help eradicate corruption: Lok Ayukta

Bangalore, Nov 14 (UNI) Since the people of immediate past generation failed to fight corruption, which has assumed monstrous proportion in the Indian Society, it will be prudent to educate and inspire the new generation to achieve the goal, Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said.

Speaking at a Round Table on 'Role of Lokayukta in Good Governance' organised by Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry here, he said though corruption in public life had historical origin it grew dangerously in the last 50 years.

Justice Hegde said that "about 25 years ago we could have prevented it. But the then generation failed to do it as they were too preoccupied in politics or making wealth. So why don't we try to train the new generation to do it. When the young children who are taught about the bane, when they will grow up they will exactly know what sort of danger corruption poses for development of our country.

He said he had started visiting Schools to teach and inspire the young children about the dangers the social evils like corruption caused. This would help bringing good governance as anti-corruption campaigns were aimed to achieve this.

Saying that defeatists attitude among the people who felt helpless to check the growing rate of corruption in public life, he said in democracy people's voice was the ultimate.

"When we can't get heard then there have to be a revolution.

However, we do not need a revolution at this juncture. An united voice can achieve results of eradicating corruption," he added.

Justice Hegde said corruption had two ugly faces -- speed money and greed money. While the former was that demanded by officials for doing favours, the latter, the most dangerous one, was practiced by politicians and top officials.

"The lower strata of bureaucracy indulge in making speed money, without paying which you will be harassed and your work get delayed.

There are number of complaints and constant action taken against such officials. However, the second type is very difficult to tackle as hardly anybody raises a voice against it. This is leading to those people going scot free," he added.

The present day business community had virtually forgotten to raise its voice against the evils like corruption. The indifference was disturbing, he regretted.

UNI RS MSP TS0948