India’s Ranking on global Corruption Perception Index Improves
India’s Ranking on global Corruption Perception Index Improves
India has secured rank 85 among 178 nations on the global Corruption Perceptions Index this year. The nation has improved its ranking in a marginal way on the global Corruption Perceptions Index this year. The ranking is a reflection of global hope that corruption will be reduced through formal prosecution of high level corrupt officials. Another hope is that the new leadership in the form of the Modi led government will bring about a change to reduce corruption, according to a statement issued by Transparency International on December 3rd, 2014.
More Change is Needed
India’s 2 point improvement on a total possible score of 100 was not seen as a significant change. This is unlike countries such as Afghanistan, Jordan and Egypt which have made significant gains in combating corruption. With a score of around 36, India is now rank 85 among 178 nations. Countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burkina Faso have scored similar rankings.
The Highest and Lowest Scores
Denmark ranked first as it did in 2013 while Somalia and North Korea stuck it out at the bottom spot. India ranked better than its South Asian neighbouring nations with the exception of Bhutan. The composite index is made of a blend of surveys and assessments of public sector corruption by international agencies. This includes the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. Of the 9 surveys and assessments used for assessment of corruption in India, relying on expert opinion to the extent of corruption plus rule of law and only polled the general public.
“The two point increase reflects the prosecution of high level politicians and civil servants associated with the 2G and coal block allocations, a sign that institutions are robust in establishing rule of law and sanctioning the corrupt,” Santhosh Srinivasan, (Research Coordinator) Transparency International,said to The Hindu, “In addition, the new leadership appears to have a strong anti-corruption drive, thereby creating further hope for a reduction in the levels of corruption as faced by ordinary people and businesses alike in the country.”
What is Needed?
For going beyond the current scenario and its limitations, more concrete steps and actions were required including enactment of anti corruption bills, the establishment of a Lokpal mechanism and curbing of illegal financial flows. Increasing the access of people to information is also important, Srinivasan emphasised.
Findings of the 20th Edition of the Corruption Perceptions Index
Scores for China (36), Turkey (45) and Angola (19) were among the biggest fallers with the drop of 4 to 5 points apart from an average economic growth of around 4% over the past 4 years.
“The 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that economic growth is undermined and efforts to stop corruption fade when leaders and high level officials abuse power to appropriate public funds for personal gain,” said José Ugaz, the chairperson of Transparency International “Corrupt officials smuggle ill-gotten assets into safe havens through offshore companies with absolute impunity,” Ugaz also added. “Countries at the bottom need to adopt radical anti-corruption measures in favour of their people. Countries at the top of the index should make sure they don’t export corrupt practices to underdeveloped countries.”
More than 75% of the 175 countries in the 2014 Corruption Perception Index score below 50. The biggest let downs this year were Angola, Turkey, China, Malawi and Rwanda which fell by as many as -4 points. Biggest gainers this year were Côte d´Ivoire, Egypt, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (+5), Afghanistan, Jordan, Mali and Swaziland who gained around 4 points.
About the Corruption Perceptions Index
This index is based on expert opinions regarding public sector corruption levels. Scores can be helped if the government is open and leaders can be held accountable. Poor scores indicate bribery, lack of punishment for corruption and public institutions that do not respond to the needs of the citizens.
