There are various types of corruption that readily spring to mind and it is necessary to distinguish them from each other for effective remedies.

1. Systemic corruption. This is the most virulent as the whole country runs on personal contacts. Whether you want a business contract, a government permit, or anything else from any official quarter including hospital admission, school admission etc unless you yourself are powerful or know someone influential, or 'have access to a source', it cannot be done. This is even if you fulfill all the requirements and are prepared to pay the prescribed fees. This is the bane of our country and our times and is the root of systemic corruption. Of course, in a country where many people are illiterate and require the services of a scriber to write even a simple letter or petition, agency or influential contacts thrive. The remedies therefore are widespread education for the public at large and for every government department, office, or semigovernment offices or institutions, or NGOs to have properly approved 'office procedures' like ISO 9000 standard and regular audit to ensure compliance with these procedures and reporting of any violation for remedial or punitive action. There must also be proper information and complaint avenues in every institution and office.

Adherence to rule of law in the form of regulations and correct procedures within a stipulated time for all interested parties must be the norm and the connection with agents or contacts must be discouraged, or even penalised. Principles must be put before close relatives and friends or people with money.

2. Impromptu or chance corruption. An example is say where a traffic police takes some money and lets go a traffic rules offender. It is difficult to eradicate such corruption, however wider education of all

public and law enforcing agencies will reduce this. Vigilance by the ACC or 'police internal affairs' must be exercised so that this type of impromptu corruption does not lead to systemic corruption.

There may be many other kinds of real corruption or wrongly termed corruption in our society but it is necessary to clearly identify and distinguish each of them for proper diagnosis and effective remedy. An overall confused term like 'corruption' and trying to find its remedy is no better than trying to find a cure for a'disease'without knowing anything more.

Engineer Shafi Ahmed

London, UK