GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

The decisive role that money plays in elections creates a vicious cycle of corruption. (a) Elaborate in the context of India. (b) Discuss whether state funding of elections can help in curbing the menace of political corruption in India.

Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019

Syllabus: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

How toppers approached it

From 7 of the 8 answers · about 160 words · 29% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening57%
  • A restatement29%
  • A constitutional or legal provision14%

Body

  • Points and prose57%
  • Points43%

Close

  • A way forward57%
  • A summary29%
  • No separate close14%

The toppers’ answers

Ravi JainAIR 9 · CSE 2019 · 164 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

The Constitution envisage the election to be held should be free & fair. It has been seen that the election has been far from free & fair due to the money being used.

Body · points

  • Several corporate house fund political parties so that when they come in power they make policy upholding their interest.
  • Huge amount of money is spend by the candidate and this is recovered through the abuse of power and corruption after an election is won.
  • Several supporter support in the hope of favour after the election.

State funding of Election is a method where in the government funds the election. There are several procedural issues associated with are-

  • Rationale of distribution
  • Souce of fund - is it ethical to use tax payers money to fund political party.
  • preventing of Phantom candidate who contest the election for money.

Close · a way forward

State Funding of Election is a progressive step but the issue needs to be addressed by building a consensus.

More on Corruption

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