Note

Yet Another Exposé
Yogesh Atal

It did not surprise this writer a bit to know from the media about the bribe given by a senior railway employee to earn a high position in the Railway Board. To be sure, this cannot be the first instance of its kind. This happens not only in the Railways, but also in the appointments of senior positions in other government or semi-government agencies such as ONGC, and even for the appointment of the Vice Chancellors in Universities. Vice-Chancellor's post is secretly auctioned at least in one state. The appointments of senior lecturers or even police officers to this prestigious position have raised people's eyebrows. But CBI did not question the Chancellor—who happens to be the Governor of the State—about such happenings. The practice goes unabated. What happened in the case of Mahesh Kumar is part of the widespread disease, and is common knowledge. If a commoner like this writer knows about the prevailing ailment, it is hard to believe that the CBI is unaware of this practice. It cannot be that the CBI suddenly launched this offensive to malign the "clear image" Railway Minister. There must be some other reasons for such an exposure which is part of the routine in high places. Mr Bansal is now shown the exit door.

The question that one should ask is: how can people of limited means—a government employee even though he/she may be the General Manager of a Railway, or a University lecturer—manage to give such huge bribes? Obviously, it is the big business that pays the money on behalf of the candidate as an advance payment for procuring a big deal from the agency. Rumour has it that Mahesh Kumar wanted to be Member Electrical clearly suggests that the companies dealing with the railways in the supply of electrical material in crores must have paid on his behalf.

For the Vice Chancellor's position in that given State, money is allegedly paid by the contractors in the hope of earning a huge contract after his incumbency. One should then also investigate as to where does this money go. It might either be going to the coffers of the political party to which the Minister or the Governor belongs, or it may be shared by bigwigs in agreed proportions.

There is a network of corruption. The CBI knows about it. And it uses an appropriate time to use this information to the advantage of the party in power.

Frontier
Vol. 45, No. 47, June 2-8, 2013

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