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Bribery at the State Borders - Vulnerability & Apprehensions of the State 

The difficulty in delivering freight swiftly within the country is typically blamed on India's highway infrastructure accompanied with administrative bottlenecks at state borders. Worse, the security checkpoints on this busy and strategically positioned stretch are a source of anxiety. Despite the significant issues provided by the cross-border movement of products and people in the context of globalisation, concern in border-related corruption is mostly restricted to customs corruption. Poor external oversight; the level of autonomy and discretionary authority border officials enjoy; high tariffs and complex regulatory frameworks that provide traders with incentives to bribe. 

The Indian government has recently made significant efforts to change the business climate and improve the ease of doing business in India. The country has risen in its positions on the World Economic Forum's Global Competitive Index  and on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rating. This, paired with an intensifying fight against illicit ways of acquiring money and a slew of other economic and governance changes, is helping India climb the rankings. However, the on-the-ground scenario cannot be glossed over, that displays transportation as one of the sectors that is most prone to bribery. This sector provides discretion to public officials, invites rent-seeking activities, and hides misdeeds through covert transactions. Bribery lowers the quality of transportation infrastructure. Improving the performance of public infrastructure requires strengthening effective governance. In the context of infrastructure development, a number of essential anti-corruption tactics and initiatives are worth pursuing.

The institutionalization of bribery in and beyond state borders is alarming. The bribe-taking and bribe-giving operation goes on without a hitch. Bribes are exchanged at every state border crossing, both when the truck enters and departs. The bribe-taker is frequently a member of the Regional Transport Office, who use wooden sticks to force trucks to come to a halt. There are no questions asked, and no inspections are performed. The driver pays these individuals ranging from Rs.300 to Rs.2000 on a regular basis which contributes to a parallel black money economy disrupting the good deeds of the Government. 

Transporters mainly from North East & Central India often report that they are misbehaved and tortured, according to the truckers’ body which warned of disruptions & inhunam treatement. State Borders of North India create high voltage drama to let truckers inside by threatening and harassing for challans and other transportation documents including vehicle mechanics & compliances that goes beyond the prudence understanding of the drivers. The greed for quick money has blinded the corrupt and rendered the bribe takers to be insensitive to the plight of poor truckers who in line of their duty to the people of the country are maintaining the essential supply chain. In recent times, the stark reality parades with the cases of bribery, harassment and extortion by law enforcement and their agents in various parts of the country. 

How to curb Bribery at the State Borders ?

While it appears that the government is working on several structural reforms and putting forth initiatives to make it easier for logistic movement, it is not uncommon for projects to come to a halt due to red tapism and what may be remnants of the 'Licence Raj,' i.e. being asked for 'gifts' or illicit payments for the most basic of matters when dealing with the government's lower rungs. Given the significant likelihood of bribery in the transportation sector, it should be the responsibility of the government agencies to guarantee that enough procedures are taken to avoid, identify, and punish bribery from the beginning. Robust implementation of penalties against corrupt officials and transporters, such as debarment and sanctioning, is critical, and a rising number of transportation agencies and funders have taken this step.

Therefore, considering bribery in transportation takes various forms, there are several countermeasures available, and all stakeholders have a role to play. Governments must guarantee that anti-corruption measures are properly implemented. Incorporating stricter anti-bribery regulations and more importantly educating the Transporters not to engage in illegal inducement/kickbacks with the Government agents and innocently consider it as a part of their routine affair.

To hardwire the above principles, ''Lawyer on-the-Spot'' (LotS) manifests itself. 

The foremost apex body of India's Road Transport Sector, AITWA (All India Transporters Welfare Association) has launched India’s first on-road legal assistance program “Lawyer on-the-Spot'' (LotS) to constantly work to improve and handle the potential pitfalls of the transporters. 

LotS is an initiative to promote trust in society and address major problems across India with its dedicated service in  providing quality assurance, guidance, and 24-hour legal aid to transporters in need. 

Visit us at “http://www.aitwa.org/home/lawyeronthespot” OR call us at 7-669-449-669 to know more and tell us what matters to you.