I think RTI has helped to some extent in easing the troubles of the common man. I have personally witnessed and experienced its effect in many cases. Right from the "I got my passport/PF etc., that was pending for 6 months, in 2 weeks after filing an RTI" to bigger issues like getting public infrastructure improved (e.g. roads created/repaired), RTI has had a positive impact overall. Of course, it's not clear if any action is taken against the officials in question, but this is a tremendously helpful first step and a possible deterrent to blatant and uncontrolled corruption.
Fight against Corruption in India using technology
41–45 of 45 posts
Re: Fight against Corruption in India using technology
#42Great initiative.A lot needs to be done to tackle corruption in India.But at least this can be a start.
Re: Fight against Corruption in India using technology
#43It's a good effort, but unfortunately it won't address the real reason corruption persists. Corruption is socially acceptable. Here is an American perspective on corruption: none of my friends or family are corrupt. This statement is tautological - if they were corrupt, they would cease to be my friends or family. Corruption will persist until India takes the same attitude. Creating an anti-corruption website is grea…
Background: I am Indian, lived there till I was 24. Moved to USA since last 6 years. I kind of agree. It is not that corruption is socially acceptable, the problem is that common man has no choice. E.g. Until recently, Section 377 of Indian Penal Code could be used against you if you are gay. In Mumbai, there has been many cases where cops have pretended to be gay in public bathroom and try to harass other gay folks.…
I believe the US hands out penalties to american based business if they are found to have given bribes even if its customary or pressured in the country where it gave the bribes.
Re: Fight against Corruption in India using technology
#44@ishanagr - good job getting this out of the door. drop me a line if you want some help porting this to mobile & native apps. free of course, india needs random experiments like this for now.
@iusable how can i contact you?
Re: Fight against Corruption in India using technology
#45It's a good effort, but unfortunately it won't address the real reason corruption persists. Corruption is socially acceptable. Here is an American perspective on corruption: none of my friends or family are corrupt. This statement is tautological - if they were corrupt, they would cease to be my friends or family. Corruption will persist until India takes the same attitude. Creating an anti-corruption website is grea…
Background: I am Indian, lived there till I was 24. Moved to USA since last 6 years. I kind of agree. It is not that corruption is socially acceptable, the problem is that common man has no choice. E.g. Until recently, Section 377 of Indian Penal Code could be used against you if you are gay. In Mumbai, there has been many cases where cops have pretended to be gay in public bathroom and try to harass other gay folks.…
I identify with what you're saying. I've been in such situations too and I've hoped for more practical alternatives to paying a bribe. I have my fingers crossed for a good Lokpal bill myself. Rise of the middle class is increasingly playing a role too.
That said, I don't think one single approach is going to solve this problem. Nor is it fair to label this as a homogeneous problem. There are many forms of corruption and I do believe that CorruptionTrak is relevant to a significant number of them.