Pandora of corruption-CWG

After a series of revelations, CWG is nothing more than a Pandora box of corruption. In one of the biggest scandal in India, it has exposed some major flaws in our system. Prices were overshot, projects were delayed and transactions happened with least transparency. Last few weeks have seen a series of corruption charges against CWG and concerned authorities. From pots to flats, everything has been mismanaged and what we have got is something, which cannot be defined in simple words. It has shown that we are still not in a position to host something of this magnitude. Our officials and politicians are not in a mindset which is required for them to do something at this level.


Corruption is a malaise which has affected our entire system. It has infected it so deeply that everybody from the top to bottom is corrupted. There won’t be even a single centi meter of construction in this country which would be corruption free. In last sixty years, more than enough money has been spent in our country to build basic infrastructure, but we are still struggling only because of this corruption. Task which can be done in 1 billion, is taking 5 billion in our country. And we have got so used to it that most often we don’t even realize it. Like in the case of CWG, if CVC has not revealed all of this information in their findings, no one had asked any question, especially the way they are being asked now.

The matter of fact, corruption is there in each and every thing which we see around us, including those cases where CVC has not reported anything. We have been doing a lot of political bashing, but those who often get away without being noticed, are actually our beurocrats. They are not less than politicians in any matter. In fact, they are the guides to politicians in administrative jungle. They are the one who act as a middleman and help politicians in all these scams, for their own interest. It is the high time when society should take cognizance of the situation and demand for changing the entire system. Move should aim to make it more transparent and establishing their accountability in proper manner.

The real issue is not about this event, it goes far beyond this. We are not yet able to provide basic amenities to all our citizens and the biggest obstacle in the process is this bloody corruption. Politicians will come and go, but if beaurocracy does it job properly, there is no reason why our condition should be so pathetic? Beaurocrats blame politicians for all problems but the reality is, they hide behind them to protect their own individual interests.

CWG- a cash cow for government

As per recent reports, common wealth games have become a cash cow for the government and government officials. Thousands of crores have been spent in the preparation and preparations are not completed yet. CVC, the central vigilance commission, has reported severe malpractices in the common wealth preparation. Weak substandard materials were used to prepare stadiums and cost was inflated. Fifteen sites were examined by a team of CVC and they found out many deficiencies in them. As per them, quality was compromised and CWG sites failed to pass strength test. Sites examined were Siri Fort Sports Complex, Shivaji Stadium, Talkatora Swimming pool and at several CWG-related projects including upgrade of street lighting and construction of elevated roads.

They claim that forged records of testing were prepared and NMDC allotted tenders at inflated rates to mislead the authorities. The similar charges are against Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi development authority. As CWG authorities keep on claiming to provide world class facilities, this report came as shocker for the public. Further reports claim that products were bought at higher price than they actually are like, trolley bed which in general cost around 1.5 lakhs per bed, was bought at 2.75 lakhs per bed. Similar is the case with ultra sound therapy machines and many other types of equipment.

These are initial reports which are based on very preliminary investigations. Imagine how much in total has been eaten up by corrupt politicians and officials? Around 80000 thousand crores have been spent in the preparation of these games and large sum of that money has gone in their pockets at the name of these games. CWG has become a cash cow for these officials who are not bothered about tax payers money and nation’s pride which will be severely hurt, in case of any mishap.

Government, as usual, is promising to take action against those who are involved in these irregularities but expecting them to do anything would be imprudent. History has repeated itself many times in India and the best possible thing which we can do is to stay from committing any of these things. These things are big bonanza for these politicians and officials, who have mastered the art of manipulating system. The best way to make money is to add commission to the actual price and then release the tender at that inflated price. Much famous hospital has offered free service for common wealth games but they were ignored and then tenders were released at the inflated rates for the same services.

We have got all reason to believe that current governments are also involved in all of these scams, as nothing can happen without the involvement of these political masters. Thousands of crores of taxpayers’ money has gone into these scams and nobody is going to take any action against these politician and officials. We can only hope and wish that India doesn’t host any other event.

Who is responsible for this?

India has seen lot of train accidents in last 60 years, but last few months have been bizarre. Train accidents have become common and there won’t be a big deal if people get used to it (which they should not) and start ignoring this. Current scenario in railway ministry is not very encouraging and a trend seems to be being set for this. July 20th, came worst news of train accident in Sainthia, West Bangal. This time, at least 63 dead and 150 injured. Uttar Banga express banged in Vananchal Express at 90 kmph. The magnitude was so strong that it threw an entire compartment in air which landed on a over bridge. Few other bogie's were also badly hit and gas cutters were used to cut steel body for rescue operations.




Railway minister were quick to reach the site and she announced compensation for the victims. She also said that there can be sabotage but later, union ministry ruled out that. Initial reports suggest that driver over shot the signal and ignored the station master warning. Brakes were fine but driver failed to put them. Nobody is sure why driver and co driver didn’t applied brakes. Now one committee will be constituted which will look into the case and we will forget about it till next accident. This is seventh case in last 12-14 months and nothing seems to have changed in these months. Someone spoke about some anti collision device and said that the talks have been for last 11 years and it’s not yet implemented. In India, if we think that it is going to happen now, then we still need to learn about our country.



It’s not about railway ministry or railway administration; it’s about entire system where voices are only raised, once something has happened. If we are not going to be proactive, we are going to pay price for that, whether we like it or not. Politicians are not going to change, media and opposition may criticize current Rail Minister, but as a matter of fact, they all are same. It more about their individual luck rather than their efforts, which determines the kind of tenure they have as a minister. India is going through a phase of coalition politics and biggest dharma in today’s politics is coalition dharma.



Current coalition has its political ambition and they are far more important than these lost lives. Nest year, there are election in West Bangal and they have to go for it, like never before. How can they give time to these kinds of usual accidents which happens, every now and then? So, its important to focus towards a goal which is more substantial and has potential of delivering more than providing good administration to the department. Accidents can happen even with the best technology and other resources, so why to waste efforts and time in doing that.



This problem is not going to end with this article or this accident or even with current government. It’s going to come back and it depend on us whether we decide to forget or remember it. And if we decide to remember then we must remember it, till we get desired results, or else it doesn’t matter. We should focus on issues rather that individual political organization or individuals. Though, we must remember their performance, so that they can be taught appropriate lessons at right time.