Monday 28 January, 2008

Will high fines lead to less crime?

How does one reduce crimes like unauthorised construction or destruction in third world countries, where the systems are rotten from top to bottom?

I think one way could be impose very heavy fines. For example, if the fine for digging a sidewalk is Rs 500 now, the government should raise it to Rs 500,000.

I do not expect anyone to pay that fine. I do though expect officials to hike their bribe rates many fold. That should deter digging. We must learn from Sree Krishna to use vice when good words fail.

1 comment:

Nakul Mehra said...

Firstly, good thought! Personally I think, in agreement to your point, 500,000 would only mean a bribe of 250,000!