I dont know whether it will work or not .. but if everyone starts to do this … I think there will be a big difference … a Gandhian way to tell that i will not give bribe. There is no harm to try out all ways to avoid corruption. I will surely do it.

Sowmya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

LEGALISING CORRUPTION?

Honestly speaking....that is the craziest thing I have ever heard. I wont waste time on that.

But, this promise of anti corruption is quite cool...although time will tell the story of its success or failure. Subalterns: those without access to the direct line of power are always the poor and ignored...India will never be able to harness the power that lies within its poor masses unless it empowers those who are without access. This note seems to be a small step in that direction. I am impressed by the resourcefulness of the creators.

Rini, Toronto, Canada,

The policeman in this story was not offering to accept a bribe, he was attempting to coerce a payment. It is a bribe when a civilian offers payment for a police officer to ignore his duty. It is coercion when a police officer demands payment for simply doing what is just. The first is corruption, the second tyranny.

Tom, Boston, US

No, the previous posters are wrong. Corruption can be reduced, and reduced significantly but only if it is tackled head on. Incentives to be corrupt, such as low paying government jobs, must be reduced and punishments against people who are caught taking bribes must be increased. Look towards some of the cities and states of East Asia as good examples of how corruption can be eliminated; particularly Hong Kong and Singapore.

Paul, Bronx, NY, USA

its a country with a massive population and relatively its still quite poor...its in the physhe of an indian now ...everyone does it ,most do it in the open. it aint gonna stop cause theres nothing to do so and everyone to do just the opppsite .

gambam, chennai, INDIA

The problem with corruption as we experience it is that there is an element of intimidation to it. Since it is not going to go away, we should consider legalising it. It should be considered a form of a tip, an obligatory service tax, and the government could promulgate a tip schedule for the babus and cops in its employ. And the Supreme Court could do the same for the judiciary, with a special discount rate for losers. The righteous and upright officials could always decline the tip. Everything will be above board. Transactions and trials will be speeded up. And the government will not have to worry about increasing salaries. In one fell swoop corruption as we know will disappear. Perhaps.

Kishore, Galena, USA

I am heart broken to read the scale of the corruption, but nothing is new under the sun : It was the same when I was a young child in India.

Dr. Abdul Jaleel, Darlington, UK

Kerla is correcpted, butin mumbai there is no single minster or corporator honest, nearly 85 percent govewrnment employees are corrupt, who are really getting good salary, there is not a single polce station who called white,also thousands of unautorised building in thane districts in maharashtra, if you want to mint money go to politics, really 0 rupees note is really good way in mumbai more people are corrupt who are educated, really.

satish, thaneur, india

While corruption is sophisticated in many nations, in India, it can be crude just like asking for money to do a job. Many citizens are responsible as they want to get around rules by paying money. Once some in bureaucracy get used to these easy money, they want "more" and "more" and some do cross limits.

Politicians, police and judiciary have degenerated quite badly to take corruption to disgusting levels and responsible in this order.

Right in my place, people had been tolerating and promoting nauseating police corruption. It is taking a long time for people like me to change it a bit. Unless, we all wake up and fight it out, the gains against fighting corruption are purely temporary.

Kerala has the highest level of literacy. But it is an unemployment generation factory, where people know more about their rights than duties. Here is an example, where literate people can go astray and become a liability.
Regards,

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

The story highlights that Bihar is the most corrupt state and Kerala the least. It should be mentioned here that corruption levels are inverserly correlated to education levels. Kerala is the most educated state in India with literacy levels in 90% range while Bihar is among the least educated and also the poorest. Corruption is a symptom, the remedy is education and economic opportunity.

Jay Sokhi , Morgan Hill, USA /California

Corruption in India goes beyond transfer of cash which is seen in public life only. Much more subtle and sophisticated ways of corruption are followed in elite organizations including scientific and educational institutions. Now I will leave it for the learned readers to determine these ways.

RK Kale, Pune, India

This is a brilliant idea. One advantage of the issue of corruption is that no one need be helpless. No one need give or take bribes. So everyone can have a part in reducing corruption and thereby transforming one's country. I write as one encouraging Romania to be the first former communist country to stop the practice of under-the-table bribes to doctors - a practice I refer to as "medical terrorism." The patients are terrified not to give these "informal payments," But the doctors do not realise the terror that lurks beneath patient smiles. I would welcome for use in health care a practical idea, such as the zero-value Gandhi notes. My love for India dates back to 43 years ago when I accompanied Rajmohan Gandhi, the Mahatma's eldest grandson, on a 6-week March on Wheels from the Southern tip of India to Delhi for a "Clean, strong and united country." We marched through the cities and bussed between them. This current initiative is a great and suitable follow-up to this March.

Patrick Colquhoun, Cambridge, UK