GAIL signs pact for zero tolerance of corruption

State-run GAIL India today signed an agreement with corruption watchdog, Transparency International India, for zero tolerance of corruption by enhancing operational transparency in contracts and procurements.

The integrity pact was signed by GAIL chairman and managing director U D Choubey and TII chairman R H Tahiliani.

"GAIL is among the first few Indian corporates to introduce an integrity pact in procurements and contracts. Integrity Pact is a tool devised by TII worldwide to fight corruption in public procurement," Choubey said.

He said GAIL has projects worth Rs 30,000 crore for laying pipelines, expanding petrochemical capacity and setting up city gas distribution networks. "This document will enable us to be a system-oriented procurement system with set process and timelines that tolerate zero corruption," he said.

"It will also equip us to defend against outside interference (in contracts). The document will take out external pressures," he said adding independent external monitors will be appointed to look at tendering process and delays in awarding contracts.