| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | September 2008 
Find the Worst Government Red Tape, Win $27K
 Associated Press
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Mexico City - For decades, Mexicans have confronted complicated, bureaucratic red tape that begs for a bribe. Now they can turn their frustrations into quick cash.
The federal government is holding a contest to find the worst example of bureaucracy and corruption, an attempt to clean up and streamline government requirements.
Officials announced the first details on prizes and rules on Thursday, after President Felipe Calderon said earlier this month that the contest was in the works.
"Governments serve to facilitate the development of people and communities, not to complicate them," Public Administration Secretary Salvador Vega said at a news conference.
Officials handed out contest entry forms featuring a photo of a bureaucrat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of documents and pointing a long line of weary residents in another direction. An assistant in a red tank-top paints her nails at his computer.
A clock on the wall gives the time as 11:30, while a digital counter announces that the second person of the day is currently being served.
Mexicans have until Oct. 31 to submit the entry forms, which ask questions like: Were you asked for difficult-to-acquire or nonexistent documents? Were you asked for a bribe to complete the service? They also ask for suggestions on ways to improve government agencies.
The goal is to streamline the federal government's more than 4,200 bureaucratic forms to 3,000 by 2012, when Calderon leaves office.
The worst example of federal red tape and the best suggestion for improvement will win US$27,900. Winners at the state and local level get US$9,300 each.
The entries will be judged by a group of citizens, led by the head of the Mexican branch of anti-corruption group Transparency International. Winners will be announced in December. |
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