South Asia, Jan 25 (NIA) – South Asian nations have become more corrupt in 2016 when compared to the previous year, a global corruption index showed on Wednesday.
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI), released by international anti corruption watchdog, Transparency International ranks countries according to the perceived level of public sector corruption. In the 2016 index, 176 countries were rated.
The ranks are based on a scoring system that ranges between 0 (public sector perceived as highly corrupt) to 100 (public sector perceived as very clean).
Among South Asian countries, India has scored first by being ranked 79 with a score of 40.
However the South Asian super power fell down 3 notches in 2016 after being ranked 76 in 2015.
“India’s ongoing poor performance with a score of 40 reiterates the state’s inability to effectively deal with petty corruption as well as large-scale corruption scandals. The impact of corruption on poverty, illiteracy and police brutality shows that not only the economy is growing – but also inequality,” Transparency International said.
Sri Lanka performed the worst in South Asia by dropping 12 places to 95 after being ranked 83 in the previous year, with officials stating that despite the passing of the Right to Information Act and the adoption of the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan, Sri Lanka was yet to see anti-corruption rhetoric leading to strong action.
Maldives remain unchaged after being ranked 83.
Pakistan and Nepal fell down one place each by being ranked 116 and 131 respectively, after being ranked 117 and 130 in 2015.
Bangladesh was ranked last among South Asia, dropping 6 places by scoring a rank of 145 compared to 139 the previous year.
Denmark and New Zealand jointly ranked 1st in the index followed by Finland, Sweden and Switzerland which ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
Transparency International said the lower-ranked countries in its index were plagued by untrustworthy and badly functioning public institutions like the police and judiciary.
“Even where anti-corruption laws are on the books, in practice they’re often skirted or ignored. People frequently face situations of bribery and extortion, rely on basic services that have been undermined by the misappropriation of funds, and confront official indifference when seeking redress from authorities that are on the take,” it said.
