On the back of recent controversies involving the release of Niira Radia tapes, allocation of 2G spectrum and alleged financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plans to launch a “moral leadership” campaign to combat the rising incidents of corruption.
The trigger for the industry body has been a draft on the National Anti Corruption Strategy circulated by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). CII, at its national executive council meeting on January 12 in Gujarat, held a marathon discussion on the proposed initiative. The meeting coincided with the Vibrant Gujarat exhibition-cum-conference.
“In spite of the high growth rate that the country is witnessing, corruption reduces the economic efficiency and adds to the cost of public transactions. Several rounds of talks have taken place on the high levels of corruption that has affected our country. Members are unanimous on launching the initiative according to the role specified in CVC’s draft paper of the private sector in combating corruption,” CII national executive council member, who did not want to be identified, said.
The CVC draft paper has suggested industry associations like CII should create and enhance a culture of trust among various stakeholders.
The draft further recommends that private sector should consider implementing “integrity pacts” in procurement of inputs, as has been done by Transparency International in respect of 39 public sector undertakings and certain ministries like defence. It involves a process that includes an agreement on no-corruption between the procurement agency and all those who bid for the contract.
The CII member said, under the proposed leadership initiative, efforts would be made to ensure bribes were not given or taken. “This is crucial, especially when there is a general recognition that demand-side corruption needs to be addressed and the private sector should be covered under anti-corruption regulations,” he noted.