Compulsion to be Corrupt- Police

All of us had been hearing a lot about corruption in Police and infact it is a matter of fact. A lot has been said about Police Reforms but the shocking part is that the Police Constabulary being the first face of Police that faces the general public and the key of cog wheel of investigation has been ignored even by fifth pay commission.

We have collected information under Right to Information Act, 2005 from Delhi Police, Punjab Police, Haryana Police and Uttar Pradesh Police. Since I have more information available with me about Delhi Police so I thought it fit to comment on Delhi Police only. It has been observed that each constable living in far flung area, with small family having two school going children, without any savings to his account, shall have either to beg or borrow an amount of Rs. 5,000-00 to Rs. 6,000-00 each month for below average standard of living.

During British regime the police was always under paid with a specific agenda that once underpaid they would indulge in corruption and under the threat of removal the Britishers would force them to act as per their own whims and fancies against the Indian freedom fighters and they succeeded.

In view of the information provided to us it is felt that even the mind set of present rulers has not changed.
Deficit per month Rs.755.00
1. Excess of Expense on account of washing over allowance: Rs. -33.33
2. Excess of Conveyance: Rs. -1,900.00
3. Motorcycle Maintenance: Rs. -300.00
4. Mobile Phone Expenses: Rs. -500.00
5. Share of Expenses on account of unclaimed Dead Body: Rs -2,000.00
6. Total Deficit per month: Rs. 5,488.33

In case the constable opts for insurance policy or any other saving scheme and gives pocket money to school going children or indulges in a luxury of giving any simple gift to his wife once in a blue moon the deficit would go up by another Rs. 2,500.00 per month. This amount is exclusive of the money spent by the Cop on himself during duty hours or commuting from Home to place of Duty & back. Therefore the total deficit would go up to Rs. 7,988.33 per month.

Now to meet this need of bare minimum amount he is bound to indulge in borrowing as he cannot beg thus to repay indulge in corruption. Thus indulging in corruption is bound to reflect on his working efficiency, law enforcement and investigations. The issues like Nithari or Prof Sabharwal, Jessica Lal or Priyadarshini Mattoo shall continue to crop up very often. The BMW’s shall continue to mow down the innocent people and get converted into trucks over night. The Blue Lines would continue to recklessly kill the road users. The overloaded trucks would continue to damage the roads, cause pollution what ever we may say about global warming leading to accidents, unquantifiable amount of damage to life and property and loss to the State Exchequer.

Not only this they would also continue to be arrogant defiant, ruthless and reckless in their day to day life. They would continue to disrespect and even kill their colleagues and seniors out of sheer frustration.

Therefore, unless we address this root cause of corruption and pay reasonable salaries no reforms are going to work and improve the system. Law enforcement and poor and shoddy investigations would continue to be the first causality.

Therefore, in fitness of things it is utmost important that the issue is at least now dealt with properly and it is ensured that the lower constabulary is paid reasonable salary so that tomorrow if they do not perform they can be punished.

In addition to the reasonable Salary, there is a need to put in place a system to ensure that no Cop has to bear the expense of giving decent burial or performing last rites of unclaimed bodies.

I have not considered the expenses the cops end up spending on purchase of stationary for the police station, other expenses while treating the visiting officials.

I have visited web site of Delhi Police. Though under Right to Information a full disclosure about the Budget under different heads is to be made but it is not available. Who cares in Government and general Public lacks voice.

Babus please come out of your deep slumber and shed British mindset before it is too late.