CHENNAI: Most of the corruption flows from the opaqueness of the system, observed S.S. Bloeria, former Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, here on Friday and sought a conducive social and moral climate to eliminate graft.

Measures such as lowering the maximum age limit for entering public service, strict screening of aspirants, political will and sense of moral values and responsibility among bureaucrats would serve the purpose.

Two-day seminar

He was addressing a two-day national seminar, organised by the Centre for Security Analysis (CSA), which discussed curbing corruption, ensuring transparency in governance and decentralising the decision-making process.

Presenting a paper on `Diminishing accountability in civil society and government,' Dr. Bloeria said the Right To Information Act and its provisions were essential for introducing transparency in governance.

There was no direct link between salaries and the scale of corruption.

Claiming that civil society had indirectly responded against extremism in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Bloeria said Muslim women had rejected terrorist organisations' ban on beauty parlours and imposition of dress code.

"Rootless bundle"

Describing the All Party Hurriyat Conference as a rootless bundle, he said they were supported not only by the Inter-Services Intelligence but also a section of the media.

According to him, except a couple of leaders of the Conference, others did not enjoy people's support. But, they projected themselves as sole representatives of the people of Kashmir.

Former Director-General of Police, Tamil Nadu, A.X. Alexander, said civil society had a tremendous impact on the functioning of the police and other government departments.

Petitions to State Human Rights Commission, habeas corpus petitions and public interest litigation petitions were effective tools.

Audit sought

Calling for audit of the functioning of non-governmental organisations, Mr. Alexander said they could publish details of funds received and spent on their website.

More credibility

If NGOs subject themselves to the RTI Act it would lend them more credibility.

Lt. Gen. V.R. Raghavan (retd), participating in the discussion, asked whether there was any space or role for civil society in Jammu and Kashmir.

National outlook necessary

Former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamoorthy said bureaucrats must have a national outlook.

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