WE THE PEOPLE
As Per Transparency International, J&K State Figures as Most Corrupt State in India after Bihar
Hence Hazare’s Victory has Prompted Anti-corruption Activists to Wage War against Corruption
By: MNS/ Makhdoomi
Srinagar: The virus of Corruption has been existing in human society from times immemorial and many scams unearthed in India prove beyond any shadow of doubt that it has gone very deep into the veins of unscrupulous elements, who are bent upon to fatten their coffers.
During recent decades, however, it has grown both in terms of geographic extent and intensity. Since the mid 1970s, it has infiltrated virtually every country and region in the world.
Transparency International (TI) as a prestigious watch dog on corruption has kept a close vigil on it and it still perceives India to be among the most corrupt countries. In its annual index, released sometime back, the global watchdog has ranked the country 84th on a list of 180 countries in terms of public-sector corruption. But the most worrying fact for the people of this State is that we have once again found our place at top in terms of corruption. The most corrupt state in India is Bihar, followed by Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh. Thus the State of Jammu &Kashmir has not seen any sea saw change in its ranking in terms of this abominable paradigm i.e corruption.
But, just few days back Victory of renowned social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare over government on the issue of corruption has encouraged people and activists in Jammu and Kashmir, which is ranked as the second most corrupt state in the country, to mull over a similar movement here for seeking more teeth to the anti-corruption legislations and enactment of a Lokpal Bill for the State so as to curb the menace of corruption in the State.
It is learnt that a delegation of J&K Social activists will soon meet Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and other members of Anna Hazare’s team for seeking their visit to the State and active cooperation in guiding people here for a similar movement.
Masses are fearlessly expressing their views on this burning topic. Yasir Ahmad, a student while talking to the “Mirror of Kasshmir” said, “Corruption in J&K is like an advanced cancer or tumor that has assumed incurable form. The collapse of the value system in the society has contributed to the high level of corruption. This has increased due to the 'get rich quickly' syndrome among the youths nowadays. Many youths are now eager and desperate to make money and lead luxurious life without hard work. The recent success of Anna Hazare in his crusade against the high levels of corruption would definitely act as a morale booster for the people of J&K State to fight tooth and nail against this menace”.
Buoyed by the success of Anna Hazare, the Right to Information (RTI) activists recently wrote an open letter to Chief Minister and the Governor of the State. The RTI activists in the said letter pointed out that the proposed J&K State Vigilance Commission is a toothless tiger that must be replaced with an effective anti-corruption agency in the Lokaykta/Lokpal pattern so as to curb corruption effectively.
While talking to “Mirror of Kashmir”, Darvinder Singh, a RTI activist said, “Corruption is the mother of all vices. Here, I am reminded of the apt sayings of former UN Secretary General. Kofi Annan that aptly describes the effects of corruption that our part too has witnessed too. "[Corruption] debases democracy, undermines the rule of law, distorts markets, stifles economic growth, and denies many their rightful share of economic resources or life-saving aid."
The success of Anna Hazare and other activists in their war against corruption has certainly lifted the spirits of masses and activists of J&K to fight this menace.Anna’s victory have definitely lifted the spirits of anti- corruption activists of J&K State.
More 
