Shri. R.H. Mendonca IPS, Director General of Police, Anti Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra State.  Known for his honesty and uprightness, Shri. Mendonca has given an absorbing account of his views in this exclusive interview to Shri. J.B. Moraes, award winning Konkani writer & journalist.

J.B. Moraes: You have been an honest and upright Police Officer and you have held various high offices in the police force.  You have been Mumbai's Police Commissioner for nearly three years and now you are heading the ACB (Anti Corruption Bureau) in Mumbai.  What do you consider as your most significant achievement in curbing corruption in public life and criminal activity like extortion and other gang related crimes?
R.H. Mendonca: I was appointed as Commissioner of Police, Mumbai in August 1997 at a critical time when organized crime and ISI activities had peaked in the metropolis.  Gang activities, extortions, shoot-outs and organized crime, which had taken roots by 1990 - 1991, had peaked by 1997 - 1998. These as well as ISI activities were effectively controlled by Mumbai Police by mid 1999 during my tenure as C.P. by putting in place new intelligence gathering and crime tackling systems including introduction of modern technology, commandos etc.  The various short and long term plans executed then continue to have its impact on the underworld criminals and gangsters even now.
 
In the Anti Corruption Bureau of Maharashtra State, which I have been heading since May' 2000, effective reorientation of the Bureau has been carried out to fight corruption and a record number of government and public servants including significant number of class I & II and very senior officers and corporators have been caught red-handed while accepting bribes.  During this period, we have also been advocating forming of Vigilance Cells specific to trade, business, profession, industry etc. to resist and expose corruption.  This novel movement is gaining momentum and various organizations like Indian Merchants Chamber, Federation of Associations of Maharashtra, NGOs like AGNI (Action for Good Governance & Net working in India), Senior Citizens Forum, Association for Consumers Action on Safety & Health, Mohalla Committees, etc. are in the process of forming these Cells.
 
J.B.M.: There are some people who say corruption has become a way of life with us.  Do you subscribe to that view?  How can the leaders motivate common people to fight corruption?  If corruption is allowed unchecked, what will be the consequences?
R.H. Mendonca: It is a fact that some people are accepting corruption as a way of life.  However, the leaders of various industry, profession, trade, etc. and dedicated social workers can work towards forming the Vigilance Cells mentioned by me earlier.  Each Vigilance Cell, which will consist of a few knowledgeable members of a particular industry, business, profession and trade etc. will / would function in the following manner:
a) The Cell will advise and enlighten members of their industry / trade etc. about law, rules and procedures governing their trade etc. with a view to minimize the scope for exploitation and harassment by corrupt officers.
b) The Cell will maintain a dialogue with senior government officers concerned with respective trade etc.  Their interaction can help in bringing about reforms in laws, rules and administrative procedures.
c) The Cell will function as a watchdog and thereby encourage citizens and corporates to resist and expose corruption.
d) The Cell members will be in a position to intervene by taking up instances of harassment etc. of individual members of their group and insulate them from any persecution for blowing the whistle on corrupt officials.
e) The Cell c