The Forum of Free Enterprise is a non-political organization founded in 1956 by A. D. Shroff, and has been established to educate public opinion in India on free enterprise and a democratic way of life. The Forum publishes booklets to further its objects. The following booklet is titled “Corruption Can be Controlled” was authored by Dr. P V Shenoi and Ram Gandhi. The first part of the booklet is titled “Corruption can be controlled”, it is based on a presentation at a seminar at the Institute in January 1998. The author mentions India is considered the 10 most corrupt countries in the world. And states that it is possible to control corruption but it is not going to be easy. The author discusses some measures to combat corruption: constitutional appointments, funding elections and political activities and role of people representatives, empowering citizens, reducing the business role of the state, a compact but business-oriented public service, and some other anti-corruption measures. The author concludes with the view that academicians and intellectuals have to mobilize public opinion for a movement for a bribe-less society.
The second part of the booklet is titled “Combating Corruption: A National Agenda”, The text is based on the author’s address at a meeting on 21st December 1997. The author discusses the impact of corruption on economic growth, examining what needs to be done in the near term to remedy the situation, and finally proposing a role for the IMC to play in combating corruption.