Gutkha and unethical public servant
Gutkha (form of tobacco)
Gutkha is a preparation of crushed
areca nut, tobacco, catechu paraffin wax, slaked lime and sweet savoury
flavouring.
It is manufacturered in India and exported to a few other countries. It sold across south Asia in small, individual -sized packets in cheap cost of price. Gutkha consumed by placing a pinch of it between the gum and cheek and gently sucking and chewing.
It is manufacturered in India and exported to a few other countries. It sold across south Asia in small, individual -sized packets in cheap cost of price. Gutkha consumed by placing a pinch of it between the gum and cheek and gently sucking and chewing.
It is considered responsible
for oral cancer and other severe negative health effect. Excessive gutkha use
can eventually lead to loss of appetite, promote unusual sleep patterns and
loss of concentration along with other tobacco- related problem .it is highly addictive
and a known carcinogen, gutkha is the subject of much controversy in India. Many
states have south to curb its immense popularity bit taxing sales of gutkha
heavily or banning it.
After banning in several
states there is a huge scam have been exposed in India. Several high official
and state chief minister and central government official have been caught red-
handed in the scam.
What was the issue?
The gutkha scam did take place in Tamil Nadu between
2013 and 2016. The manufacturer of the MDM brand of gutkha had allegedly paid
several crores of rupees as kickbacks to the Tamil Nadu health minister, senior
IPS officers, and officials of various central and state government department. Officially the storage and sale of gutkha, have been banned in Tamil Nadu since 2013.
How did the scam get
exposed?
The matter came out in July 2016 when Tamil Nadu was
helmed by that time of chief minister. Th income- tax department, during its searches
at the residence of MDM brand owner, recovered a diary that had details of bribes
being allegedly paid to former Chennai police commissioner thrice, for allowing
illegal sale of tobacco-based products.
The bribe was paid to allow the sale of gutkha which
is banned for sale in Tamil nadu since 2013. The diary, which was recovered had
incriminating information that 40 crores was paid as bribe by the manufacturer for
allowing illegal sale of gutkha in the open market in Tamil nadu
Why is there demand
for a CBI probe?
The Tamil nadu government claimed that it had not received
any report any report on the gutkha scam, but subsequently, the IT department seized
copy of the report from former chief minister’s residence during search in November
2017. With the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption, a state agency, registering
case against several lower level officials in the scam, political parties and
right activists were up in arms demanding probe by the CBI since IPS officer including
two DGP rank, a state minister and central department employees were
potentially involved in bribery.
How did the case land
in high court?
The directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption,
which began a probe into the scam, booked junior-level officers in the case. The
Tamil nadu state government opposes a CBI inquiry into the scam.
What is the current
situation?
According to reports there are several IPS officers
are under scanner. Investigation have revealed that dozen police officers had
raided the MDM gutkha godown, where a large quantity of the banned gutkha was seized.
All the seized gutkha handed over to the food safety department.
Unethical bureaucracy
Bureaucracy is one of the main pillars of any
country. It is not easy to define corruption. But in narrow sense, corruption
is mostly concerned with bribe and it take several forms. Corruption is a
global phenomenon. And it has progressively increased and now spreading like a
disease in the society.
Corruption in India is a consequence of the connection
between bureaucracy, politics and criminals. India is now no longer considered a
soft state. Today, the number of ministers with an honest image can be counted
on fingers. At one time, bribe was paid getting wrong things done but now bribe
is paid for getting right things done at right time.
Effect of corruption
Administration is tainted with scandals. India is among
55 of the 106 countries where corruption is uncontrolled, according to the
corruption perception index 2004 report released by transparency international India.
Corruption in India leads to promotion not prison. It is very difficult to
catch the culprit. As nation grows, the corrupt also grow to invent new methods
of cheating the government and public.
Conclusion
India has been facing such corruption full scams since so many years. India
has been considered as the fastest growing country. On the other hand poor bureaucracy and corrupt politician make the country weaker. Unethical practices and corruption are
like a diabetes, and can only be controlled by making effective policies and
framework.
It may not be possible to root out the corruption completely at all
levels as it will take a long time to make country better and corruption free. Government
should make a system of ethical testing before recruiting the public servants. Corruption
has corrosive impact on economy.
It worsens image in international market and
leads to loss of overseas opportunities. Corruption is a global problem that
all countries of the world must confront, solution, however, can only be home
grown. India have tolerated corruption
for so long the time has now come to root it out from it roots.
