CONTROLLING CORRUPTION IN INDIA: Various Approaches and their Efficacy Special issue of the Indian Journal of Public Administration

When corruption becomes deep-rooted, it undermines prevailin g political, economic and social systems. Systemic corruption, in the longer run , unavoidably causes outrage against the political and administrative structure and eventually leads to distrust in the entire government. This cynicism does n ot bode well either for a democracy or a society. As a system degeneration, corr uption indicates attrition and erosion of ethical, moral and social values. But the strategy to control it can not be based upon an abstract and intangible appr oach. It has to emanate from astute, well thought out and judicious policies and actions. It is essential to acknowledge the social, political and structural re alities that are pulling down the system and leading the administration to a nea r collapse. Diverse strategies have to be mounted for tackling corruption in dif ferent quarters. Meeting corruption head on needs a strong legal, administrative , judicial and social approach with appropriate policy framework, administrative action and legislative innovativeness. The biggest challenge today seems to be crisis of faith in governance and the first and foremost requisite for the gover nment is to command public confidence in its honesty and integrity. Corruption in public life, economic and business activities, soci o-cultural organizations, processional conduct and services, politics, administr ation, electoral process, judiciary and bureaucracy requires transparent, strong, un biased and deterrent punitive measures. These measures have to counter the preva iling skepticism that corruption is all-pervasive and beyond control. A series o f steps and approaches have been adopted since Independence to tame the menace o f corruption. This issue of the journal aims at gauging worth and effectiveness of these endeavours and evolving plausible and pragmatic strategies for future. We request the contributors to confine their views to evalua ting the approaches and their efficacy to combat corruption. The article should be written in approximately 2500-3000 words. A broad classification of articles can be on the following lines: The Institutional Framework Role Role Role Role of of of of Central Vigilance Commission Election Commission Comptroller and Auditor General Central Bureau of Investigation

The Legal Framework The Efficacy of Money Laundering Act The Efficacy of Benami Properties Act Protection of Whistleblowers Criminal justice system Civil Society Initiatives Role of Media