Corruption concerns

KOCHI: Scams seem to be the order of the day. Corruption is reaching new heights and it’s running into crores of rupees. It should be fought tooth and nail, said Justice N Santosh Hegde, former Solicitor-General of India and Lokayukta (ombudsman) for Karnataka after inaugurating the one-day national seminar, Wednesday on Global Finance Capital, Marginalised Majorities and Limited Transparency-Lessons for Ensuring an Inclusive India, organised by the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP), Cusat, and E Balanandan Research Foundation (EBRF) at PSRT auditorium, Cusat.  Instead of pumping money into developmental activities, the sad thing is that the authorities concerned have no qualms in pocketing a major chunk from the funds allocated for various welfare schemes. No institute is free from corruption, he said. The less privileged hardly gain from such schemes but run from pillar to post helplessly. “Anna Hazare has helped ignite a spark against corruption in  many minds. The Lokpal Bill cannot end corruption but can surely contain it. Policies are short-sighted and we have no statesman but only politicians,” he said. Economist Prof Prabhat Patnaik who delivered the keynote address laid stress on the need to understand corruption in the wider ambit of finance capital which has gained considerable inroads into the country’s economic and social spheres.Dr K N Panikker, chairman Higher Education Council, moderated the technical session. He pointed the cultural dimensions associated with corruption and also suggested that the anti corruption movements that gained much popularity among the Indian middle class should have a definite political dimension to it as any depoliticised movements stand to lose out in the long run. Papers were presented by Anupama Jha, Executive Director, Transparency International and J Gopikrishnan, special correspondent, Pioneer, New Delhi.   Rajasenan, Director, CSSEIP, welcomed the gathering. M M Lawrence, chairman, EBRF, gave the patron’s address and Ramachandran Thekkeddath Vice-Chancellor, Cusat, gave the presidential  address.