Tech-ing On Corruption

Scams relating to public procurement and government approvals have generally entailed key individuals exercising discretion in favour of a (generally) undeserving party against a more deserving party. The 2G scam and the coal allocation scam both involved, broadly, allegations of ineligible bidders succeeding. Recent cases on approval to foreign investment applications have raised questions on abuse in relation to grant of approvals. Both scenarios place considerable discretionary powers in favour of individuals and reveal a system where checks and balances failed.

It is important to understand that threat of investigation and even conviction doesn't deter the criminal mind. (Representational image)