India's image on tackling graft seems to have gone from bad to worse in the perception of people dealing with the system, with its rank slipping to a low 95 among 183 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
While the debate continues in India over an anti-graft ombudsman, the study by the international watchdog shows the country's image declining consistently over the past three years. This year, the country scores 3.1 on 10, with 10 being the highest score.
Since 2007 when India was ranked 72 among 180 countries with a score of 3.5, the score has declined, so have the rankings. Last year, India was placed at 87.
The CPI ranks countries based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be and is a composite index that draws on data and studies by a number of specialised international agencies through a complex process.
India's score is a result of an average of 13 studies including World Bank's Country Performance and Institutional Assessment, World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey and Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, among others.
New Zealand is at the top spot with a score of 9.5 followed by Finland and Denmark. The countries that occupy the bottom ranks in the index are Somalia, North Korea, Myanmar and Afghanistan, which are helmed by unstable governments and conflicts.
With the unearthing of major scams, arrests of influential people over corruption and a movement for a Lokpal stealing headlines in India, people associated with Transparency International India said since the study is a measurement of perception, these factors
"There continues to be decline in India's Integrity Score to 3.1 in 2011 from 3.5 in 2007, 3.4 in 2008 and 2009, 3.3 in 2010... indicating a serious corruption problem," said a statement from the watchdog.
"Perception about corruption in India seems to have increased primarily due to the ongoing movement for the enactment of an effective Lokpal and alleged corrupt practices in a series of scandals involving the sale of telecom licences, preparations for the Commonwealth Games, a land scam involving high-level military officers...," it said.
The score is the result analysis of experts and bodies and includes the experience of executives of multinational companies who deal with the system.
Most of India's neighbouring countries have recorded an improvement in rankings and score, except Nepal, and Sri Lanka with a score of 3.3 is placed higher than India, while China is ranked 75 with 3.6. Bhutan with a score of 5.7 has the best perception among South Asian nations and is ranked at 38.
"It should give no satisfaction to us that we are placed better than Pakistan, Nepal and Maldives. Our minimum target of acceptance is a score of 5," said P S Bawa, chairman of TI India.
Bawa said though he believed the establishment of a strong Lokpal would make some difference but it would not be a solution of all problems.
"Lokpal is necessary but it is not the panacea of all problems. TI India though has been consistently demanding a strong Lokpal, Lokayuktas in all states," he said.
He said independent investigating agencies and a greater number of judicial officials was also required to deal with the problems of investigation and delays.
