A 58 year old wife and 28 year old daughter committed suicide in their respective rooms in an East Delhi flat after their husband/father, an Additional Secretary rank officer of the Indian Corporate Law Service and former CBI department director was arrested by the CBI for accepting bribes from a Pharmaceutical company. It was discovered that he also possessed a large amount of cash and other assets disproportionate to his income.
Except for the family suicides apparently due to his arrest bringing "dishonour to the family" according to the notes left behind, this is the usual story of a high ranking bureaucrat getting caught by an investigative agency for a short or long career of corruption. Usually not much comes out of such arrests besides extreme harassment for life to the person concerned. There is an old adage in India that refers to trouble with the Authorities. The wheels of Govt turn slowly, but when you are caught in it, you turn to dust. What are the real issues at stake here? Could someone enlighten me whether the simple solution would be to pay them commensurate with a pay and benefits package available in the private sector or for the Govt to deal with the two most pressing needs of an official nearing retirement ie professional education costs for his children and a home after retirement. Would that help such officials to be on the straight and narrow or would greed triumph over any measures that the Govt takes. As it stands, Govt employees cannot on their salary alone, afford to save for those two post retirement necessities. I don't believe the Govt cannot afford to pay its employees enough so that they have no proclivity to corruption. The money the govt loses by way of revenue through corrupt practices would more than outstrip whatever they pay out to their officials to stave off temptation. Look at the recent pay commission for example. An unheard of 23% increase over the last commission scales. If they can afford this, they can afford anything. An Additional Secretary in the Govt of India earns about Rs.200,000 monthly pay and allowances before the new 23 pc increase. While this may not seem much if you compare it with the banking or private sector, a fully furnished flat with a couple of domestics included, are part of the deal as is also an official car and driver and a host of other lesser perks. Has any ruling authority past or present applied themselves to this and what has been the outcome. Roland Francis Toronto.
