CII seeks national debate on graft

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has roped in Infosys Chief Mentor NR Narayana Murthy to head its campaign against corruption.

To be kicked off in Bangalore tomorrow, the campaign, Integrity India, a brainchild of CII President R Seshasayee, aims to launch a national debate on the widespread corruption in all spheres of economic activity.

India this year earned the dubious distinction of being the most corrupt exporting nation in Transparency International's Bribe Payers' Index.

"Through the campaign, we plan to be able to engage corruption on a national platform and bring about transparency, accountability and ethical behaviour in industry," said former CII Director-General N Srinivasan.

The campaign will be spread over three years and carried out by Young India, a forum of the industry chamber comprising young achievers.

The plan includes a series of initiatives where good models of e-governance will be shown to various state governments.

A proposal will be sent to the Prime Minister's Office to publish the progress of the Bharat Nirman programme and a collection of success stories will also be published.

Role models from Indian industry "" in this case, four entrepreneurs from the small and medium enterprises "" will be showcased for how they did not compromise on business ethics, withstanding pressure.

The campaign will also look at systemic changes in governance to bring down the pressure to pay bribes.

The e-governance initiative by the municipal council chairman of Panruti in Tirunelvelli district in Tamil Nadu, which obviated the need to go to government officials, will be showcased and ways to effectively use the Right to Information Act will also be studied.