Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 28: As per a nation-wide survey conducted by an NGO, Karnataka has emerged at the top among the states surveyed as far as corruption is concerned. The NGO, which conducted survey on the basis of the need to pay bribe to get access to public services, found that 77 percent of people they interviewed in Karnataka had to pay bribe to get work done in government offices.

On the contrary, Himachal Pradesh has been ranked as the least corrupt state with only 3 percent families reporting corruption.

Karnataka's dubious distinction of occupying top slot is facing threat from Andhra Pradesh where corruption stands at 74 percent. In 2005, 57 percent had said they had to pay bribe to get public services. Bihar was then rated the worst state in corruption with 74 percent of people of that state reporting to have paid bribes. Tamil Nadu with 68 percent and Maharasthra with 57 percent occupy third and fourth positions behind Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The survey conducted by New Delhi-based Centre for Media Studies also has ranked Kerala (4 percent) and Chattisgarh (13 percent) among the least corrupt states, following Himachal Pradesh in that order. However, as a whole, the survey discloses, only 33 percent households has admitted to have paid bribe for public services during the last one year as compared to 53 percent who said so in similar study conducted in 2005.

In general, people felt that corruption level went down during the demonetisation exercise. Centre for Media Studies says that it conducted survey in 20 states during October and November 2016 in 20 states to put together this report.

As per the report, 73 percent people had said in 2005 that corruption had gone up during the last one year whereas this time, only 43 percent felt so. The total bribes paid, as per the estimate, was Rs 6,350 crore this time as against Rs 20,500 crore in 2005. The people in general were unequivocal in asserting that when the public servants seek bribe, they had no option to refrain from meeting the demand.