Tiger80 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 More than one in three south Asians say they were forced to bribe officials in the last year, mainly for services they were legally entitled to, an international anti-graft watchdog said on Thursday. A survey released by Berlin-based Transparency International in Kathmandu showed bribery has become so endemic that the region is second only to sub-Saharan Africa as the corruption hotspot of the world. The watchdog surveyed 7,800 people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, finding 40% had paid backhanders over the last 12 months to public servants, with police being the largest recipients. Two thirds of Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis who dealt with the police last year said they had paid bribes to corrupt officers. "With bribery such a big part of life for south Asians, you can see why so many people are angry at their governments for not tackling corruption," said Rukshana Nanayakkara, senior programme coordinator for the watchdog's south Asia region. "People are sick of paying bribes to get on with their daily lives, and they are sick of the sleaze and undue influence of public servants." The survey, entitled "Daily Lives and Corruption: Public Opinion in South Asia" found 62% of south Asians believed corruption had got worse over the past three years, with Indians and Pakistanis the most pessimistic. More than 80%, however, said they were willing to take action to end corruption. "Governments beware. People think corruption is on the rise and are willing to take action against it," said Nanayakkara. "In 2011, popular protests have sent a strong message to governments. They must respect the voice of their people and encourage citizen engagement." Some of the largest demonstrations were in India, where millions took to the streets of cities across the country in August in support of an anti-corruption campaign by veteran activist Anna Hazare. The six countries lag between 86th and 154th in Transparency International's annual Corruption http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Nepal/A-third-of-S-Asians-pay-bribes-survey/Article1-785720.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
achilles Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Time is running out for the corrupt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarke Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 A third ? That's it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punjabi_khota Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I personally know of very few people who have NOT paid a bribe in India. So I am betting the number is more than .33333333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 The watchdog surveyed 7,800 people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, finding 40% had paid backhanders over the last 12 months to public servants, with police being the largest recipients. not surprised Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViruRulez Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Not surprising. I can at least say that I have had a lot of BC MC arguments with police inside their police station when they asked for bribe. But have since shifted views and do not mind getting my work done faster even it means more money. It is also because of the system and you cannot fight alone against it and turn to giving bribes even if you might be against it in the past. Having said that, I have never given a bribe myself to anyone still. Indirect might be a different case though. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brainfade Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 It's an underestimate. Survey responders lying out of fear of some unknown repercussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DomainK Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 It's an underestimate. Survey responders lying out of fear of some unknown repercussion. I agree. Has to be more than that. If you ever go to a government office for some work, you either go with an agent who gets it done for you for a fee, or face harassment and finally pay a huge bribe and get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagalpanti Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 It's an underestimate. Survey responders lying out of fear of some unknown repercussion. Or they probably don't have money to pay bribes. :winky: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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