In this age of rampant corruption, Kerala CM Oommen Chandy sets an example in combating corruption while offering a solution that could be an effective way of bringing transparency to the system. Chandy has mounted cameras in his office so that the public can monitor a live 24/7 video feed of the government at work on Kerala’s website. A few weeks back Lee Jae-Myung, the mayor of the Seoul, set up a closed-circuit camera in his office to prevent visitors from bribing him and to compile evidence to protect himself from unfounded corruption allegations.
The thought that the cameras will in any way reduce corruption is wishful thinking, but webcams and CCTVs may help in creating an atmosphere of transparency. People working in spaces with surveillance cameras all over the place feel that though the “eyes” are a bit intrusive, they surely can be helpful if installed in all government buildings.
Whilst many laud Chandy’s move as a legitimate anti-corruption effort, others doubt if the webcam actually promotes transparency or if it’s just a publicity gimmick. “The streamed proceedings don’t include audio, which means we don’t have a clue what the officials are talking about. One can’t trust their eyes with the politicians. Nonetheless it’s a smart move on Chandy’s part. And the security cameras will at least make the premises safe if not corruption-proof,” says Vivek Bharatri, an IAS aspirant.
Amrit Shetty, who is accustomed to security cameras keeping an eye on the employees in his office, an IT giant in Noida, says, “People know that CCTVs are everywhere and that dissuades people from pinching stuff. Although CCTVs can’t eradicate corruption, at lower levels they can be prohibitive. I have seen it in a Bengaluru office, where a peon refused to accept a `100 note because of the cameras around. However, with the higher officials, I don’t think it would work because I am sure they will discuss bribery elsewhere.”
“I don’t see this fixing corruption but CCTVs are something that can be used for security purposes in hotels, malls, schools and other important places,” feels Meetu Bakshi, an audit executive with a city-based accounting firm adding that a few months back, it took a little over nine hours for investigators to arrest a Nepali office boy who fled away with `20 lakh from his workplace in Hyderabad. The accused was caught with help of CCTVs installed in the office. “Adults are expected to do their job, if they’re doing it where they are policed 24/7, something is wrong. I think the problem is not corruption but people being slow, lazy and inefficient, and monitoring performance in a real and tangible way will help stem that,” she says.
In organisations where huge groups of people work together, keeping an eye over each and everyone is a bit difficult. But if the whole premise is under surveillance, it is easier to check the productive hours of the employees. Finance analyst Diwakar Sharma adds, “The idea of CCTVs in offices to fight corruption is not entirely convincing, but if installed in government buildings, these cameras might work as tools in discouraging employees from receiving bribes, but then they will find a way out. However, in a corporate environment, these same cameras ensure employees work efficiently though privacy remains a major concern.”