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Novel Approaches to Local Government Corruption in India and China
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Robert Wechsler
India and China have not only been the home of new varieties of
entrepreneurialism. In these countries, creative individuals have also come up with
novel approaches to dealing with local government corruption.
An expatriate Indian physics professor in the U.S. came up with the brilliant idea of a Zero-Rupee Note to hand out in situations where local officials expect or ask for bribes.
According to the Zero Currency website, "The zero currency note is a tool to help you achive the goal of zero corruption. The note is a way for any human being to say NO to corruption without the fear of facing an encounter with persons in authority. Next time someone asks you for a bribe, just take your zero currency note and hand it to them. This will let the other person know that you refuse to give or take any money in order to perform services required by law or to give or take money to do something illegal."
According to an article in last week's Economist, Prof. Anand "thinks the notes work because corrupt officials so rarely encounter resistance that they get scared when they do. And ordinary people are more willing to protest, since the notes have an organisation behind them and they do not feel on their own."
The Zero Currency program, which includes zero notes in all major currencies, including the dollar, is part of 5th Pillar, which also focuses on local government activities via use of the Right to Information Act followed by the organization's People's Inspection & Audit of such things as local road projects.
According to another Economist article, a truly novel approach has led to the closing of "capital representative offices" of local governments in Beijing, which have been used to lavishly entertain local officials in the capital as well as lobby the central government. These offices had within them good restaurants and fancy guesthouses. But since local governments have little actual business in Beijing, "any favour the lower-level offices might try to curry is likely to be illicit."
After the execution of his boss in 2001, a former secretary to a deputy mayor in a northeastern Chinese city wrote a series of novels collectively called Beijing Office Director, which brought attention to the capital representative offices and their illicit activities. This led to an investigation of the offices by the Communist Party's anti-corruption agency.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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An expatriate Indian physics professor in the U.S. came up with the brilliant idea of a Zero-Rupee Note to hand out in situations where local officials expect or ask for bribes.
According to the Zero Currency website, "The zero currency note is a tool to help you achive the goal of zero corruption. The note is a way for any human being to say NO to corruption without the fear of facing an encounter with persons in authority. Next time someone asks you for a bribe, just take your zero currency note and hand it to them. This will let the other person know that you refuse to give or take any money in order to perform services required by law or to give or take money to do something illegal."
According to an article in last week's Economist, Prof. Anand "thinks the notes work because corrupt officials so rarely encounter resistance that they get scared when they do. And ordinary people are more willing to protest, since the notes have an organisation behind them and they do not feel on their own."
The Zero Currency program, which includes zero notes in all major currencies, including the dollar, is part of 5th Pillar, which also focuses on local government activities via use of the Right to Information Act followed by the organization's People's Inspection & Audit of such things as local road projects.
According to another Economist article, a truly novel approach has led to the closing of "capital representative offices" of local governments in Beijing, which have been used to lavishly entertain local officials in the capital as well as lobby the central government. These offices had within them good restaurants and fancy guesthouses. But since local governments have little actual business in Beijing, "any favour the lower-level offices might try to curry is likely to be illicit."
After the execution of his boss in 2001, a former secretary to a deputy mayor in a northeastern Chinese city wrote a series of novels collectively called Beijing Office Director, which brought attention to the capital representative offices and their illicit activities. This led to an investigation of the offices by the Communist Party's anti-corruption agency.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
---
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Comments
divakarssathya (not verified) says:
Sun, 2010-02-07 01:02
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While the idea of the zero rupee note is commendable, it looks in the wrong direction.
India's pervasive corruption is more a function of the self serving sluggishness of the ruling class - the recently exposed Ruchika Girhotra case and my own experience indicate that checks and balances have collapsed and coalesced into one corrupt predatory ruling class.
Very little difference between the judiciary, the administration, the legislature and the press. They all know that bad, perverse, dysfunctional behavior is the capital with which to earn money and power.
The old "Pinch the child and then rock the cradle" idea.
"Governance" as a protection racket.
My fear is despite the fantastic growth figures, India is fast deteriorating into an administrative nightmare and a bit of a basket case.
Transparency and accountability are the mantras that will create the necessary paradigm shift.
The RTI ACT 2005 as a piece of legislation is brilliant.
But count on the bureaucrats to racketeer on this too.
Even as we speak, Dr Manmohan Singh’s Office, “Daredevil” Pratibha Patil’s Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, State Information Commissioner CD Arha are all in a criminal conspiracy to deny me justice.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court in the inimitable manner of the Indian judiciary has misbehaved egregiously.
If you would like to know about the sheer impossibility of living a sane, unexploitative, equitable life in India, you and your esteemed visitors may want to visit and participate at sathyagraha.blogspot.com
Andhra Pradesh High Court’s Pernicious Rebellion Against The Law .05/29/09
RTI Act 2005 Abuse In Andhra Pradesh- SIC Cheats! Chief Secretary Lies!05/07/09
Prejudiced CIC Laps Up PMO Lies 05/05/09
Divakar S Natarajan and Varun Gandhi Cannot Both Be Wrong ! 01/28/09
And India’s editorial class will not report the story!
Divakar's Sathyagraha
News and views from Divakar S Natarajan’s, “no excuses”, ultra peaceful, non partisan, individual sathyagraha against corruption and for the idea of the rule of law in India.
Now in its 18th year.
Any struggle against a predatory authority is humanity's struggle to honour the gift of life.