Chapter 9: The Fight Against Corruption
Next Day
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the residence, but Animesh's mood was far from sunny. As he walked through the corridors of his office, his mind was weighed down with the burden of the challenge ahead, corruption. No matter how many economic reforms they introduced, no matter how many infrastructure projects they launched, corruption had the potential to derail all progress. It was a rot that had taken hold in the system over decades, and uprooting it would not be easy.
Animesh had witnessed this firsthand during his rise in politics, the slow approvals, the bribes, the bureaucratic red tape. It was all part of a deeply entrenched culture. And while he had managed to sidestep much of it thanks to the system's strategic interventions, he knew that the average Indian wasn't as fortunate. It was time to challenge this system head-on.
As Animesh entered his office, Mahesh was already there, setting up for the day's meetings and speeches he had prepared.
"Mahesh, today we need to talk about something that's been affecting our country for too long, corruption," Animesh said, his voice firm.
Mahesh looked up, his face growing serious. "Yes, Prime Minister. It's a topic we can't avoid any longer. If we want to see real change in this country, corruption has to be dealt with, but we can't control the lower levels and middle."
Although Mahesh was appointed to manage Animesh, he was fully in favor of Animesh's decision because of the system.
Animesh sat down at his desk. "Corruption is stopping our progress. We can implement all the economic policies we want, but if the system remains broken, the benefits won't reach the people. The common man will still be stuck in a web of bribes and inefficiency web that ordinary people can never escape."
Mahesh nodded, already sensing where this conversation was headed. "Are we talking about anti-corruption reforms? New laws? Or do you have something more specific in mind, sir?"
Animesh leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "We need both prevention and punishment. We need a system that not only discourages corruption but also deals swiftly with those who engage in it. We can't tolerate corruption at any level, whether it's a low-ranking bureaucrat or a high-ranking official. If they misuse their power, they should face severe consequences."
Mahesh gave a thoughtful nod. "Agreed. But cracking down on corruption won't be easy. Many of the people involved are deeply entrenched in the system, and they have powerful connections. It's going to create a lot of enemies."
Animesh heard Mahesh's words and smiled lightly. "I'm not here to make friends, Mahesh. If we don't act now, nothing will change. The country deserves better than this. And this is a race we must win."
---
Later that afternoon, Animesh convened a meeting with his key ministers and top officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Anti-Corruption Bureau. They were the people responsible for maintaining the rule of law in India, but they had also seen firsthand how deeply corruption had infiltrated every aspect of governance.
In the Meeting Hall
"How are you all doing?" As Animesh entered, he noticed that most of the officials were in their fifties. He didn't sit on the chair but instead perched on the desk that held the files and documents.
"Fine, sir!" Nearly all of them responded at once.
"So, should I begin with the reason I called you here today?" Animesh asked casually, noticing a hint of disdain on some faces. He didn't mind; he already had something in mind.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today's meeting is about one thing, the corruption in our whole country and the system," Animesh lowered his head and met their eyes.
"We cannot afford to let corruption continue unchecked. It's slowing down progress, eroding trust in the government, and preventing the benefits of our reforms from reaching the people. From today, we will begin a comprehensive crackdown on corruption, and I expect full cooperation from every department."
The Finance Minister, Rao, spoke first. "Prime Minister, I completely agree. Corruption affects every sector. Funds meant for public welfare often don't reach their intended destinations. Kickbacks, bribes, and mismanagement are rampant in infrastructure projects, public tenders, and even routine government services."
Animesh nodded at the Minister's words. "Which is why we need to take strong action. I want to establish a special task force dedicated to anti-corruption measures. This task force will operate independently of the regular bureaucracy and report directly to me. They will have the authority to investigate high-profile cases and will have access to all necessary resources."
The Home Minister, Amit Desai, who oversaw law enforcement, raised a concern. "Prime Minister, creating such a task force is an excellent idea, but how do we ensure that it remains free from political influence? Too often, anti-corruption bodies have been used as tools for political vendettas."
After hearing this, Animesh paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "The task force will be staffed by a combination of law enforcement officials, retired judges, and independent experts. Their mandate will be clear: to root out corruption at all levels, without regard for political connections. And let me be clear—anyone caught using their position in the task force for political gain will face immediate removal and prosecution."
The Director of the CBI, a seasoned officer named Arvind Joshi, spoke next. "Prime Minister, if we're serious about tackling corruption, we need more than just a task force. We need to strengthen the laws. Currently, the punishment for corruption is either a fine or imprisonment, but the process is slow, and many high-profile cases drag on for years. We need faster trials, and we need harsher penalties."
Animesh tapped his pen thoughtfully on the table. "What kind of penalties are we talking about?"
Arvind Joshi continued, his voice steady. "We should consider life imprisonment for those involved in large-scale corruption—especially public officials who misuse their power. We also need to confiscate assets obtained through corrupt practices, not just slap them with fines. If people know they'll lose everything they've gained through illegal means, it will act as a deterrent."
Animesh processed Arvind's words and said, "Confiscation of assets… that's powerful. We'll need to ensure that this is implemented fairly and transparently, but it could make a real difference. What about whistleblower protection? One reason corruption continues is that people are afraid to speak out."
The Commerce Minister, Suresh Mehta, chimed in. "Whistleblower protection is essential. We need a system where government employees or private citizens can report corruption without fear of retaliation. We should also consider creating a hotline or an anonymous reporting mechanism."
Animesh nodded. "Yes, and anyone found retaliating against a whistleblower will face serious consequences. We cannot let people be silenced out of fear."
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed what was being proposed. Animesh knew that implementing these changes would be met with resistance from those benefiting from the current system. But it was necessary for the common people of India.
He cleared his throat and addressed the room again. "We're going to roll out this anti-corruption initiative in stages. First, I want a full audit of all major infrastructure projects and public funds. We'll start with high-profile projects and then move down to the local level. Second, we will introduce new legislation to strengthen anti-corruption laws, including the harsher penalties Mr. Joshi suggested. Third, the task force will be set up within the next few weeks, and we'll launch a public awareness campaign to let people know that the government is serious about this."
The Minister of Rural Development, Rajesh Patel, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Prime Minister, rural areas are particularly affected by corruption. Funds meant for farmers and infrastructure projects often disappear before they reach the people. I suggest we focus part of our efforts on rural corruption as well. We need a system where villagers can report corruption without fear."
Animesh agreed. "That's a good point, Mr. Rajesh. Rural areas often suffer the most from corrupt practices. We'll make sure that the task force pays special attention to corruption in rural development projects."
He paused. "This is not going to be an easy fight, but it's one we cannot afford to lose. We're talking about the soul of the nation. Corruption undermines everything we're trying to achieve. If we don't root it out now, we'll never reach our full potential."
The ministers around the table exchanged serious looks. They knew that taking on corruption would mean making powerful enemies, but they also knew that Animesh was right. The time for half-measures was over.
Animesh stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "Let's get to work. We have a country to clean up."
---
As the ministers left the room, Animesh sat back down at his desk, feeling the weight of the task ahead. Corruption was a deeply entrenched problem, and it wouldn't be easy to root it out. But he knew it was a fight worth fighting. If he could make even a dent in the corruption that plagued the country, it would be a legacy worth leaving behind.
The system, as if reading his thoughts, popped up in his mind.
"New task: Successfully initiate and oversee the anti-corruption campaign. Target the misuse of public funds and create a transparent system. Reward: Loan relief of $50 billion out of $92 billion, and 2,000 points."
Animesh stared at the task for a moment, then smiled grimly.
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