Government of India COMBATING CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC SERVICES

1. Government of India COMBATING CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC SERVICES

2. India Overview • World’s largest and a vibrant democracy • Rule of law enshrined in Constitution • Separation of Powers (Legislature, Executive and Judiciary) • Right to Equality and Equality of opportunity • Affirmative action for disadvantaged. • Independent and Proactive Judiciary • Free Press & Media • Liberalised Economy

3. Corruption • Pernicious and Visible impediment to good governance • India 47th most corrupt country – China 31st (World Bank, 2006) • India 70th in Corruption Perception Index (T I 2006) • Incidence widely known but impact little realized

4. POLICY ZERO TOLERANCE AGAINST CORRUPTION

5. StrategyCombating Corruption

6. Strategy • Institutional Restraints - Independent and proactive judiciary - Legislative oversight - Independent prosecution, Enforcement • Political Accountability - Political competition –Multi Parties - Transparency in party financing - Disclosure of voting - Asset declaration, office of profit act

7. Strategy • Civil Society Participation - Right to Information Act - Public hearings - Role for media/NGOs • Competitive Private Sector - Economic Reforms - Competitive restructuring of monopolies - Regulatory simplification and standards - Transparency in corporate governance - Collective business associations

8. Strategy • Public Service Management - Meritocratic civil service, adequate pay - Budget management - Tax and customs administration - Enhancing public service delivery - Decentralization with accountability

9. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK • CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION • CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION • ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA • COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL OF INDIA

10. LEGAL FRAMEWORK • The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 • The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 • Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 • Extradition Act, 1962 • The Representation of Peoples Act, 1950 • The Right to Information Act, 2005 • The Companies Act, 1956 • Conduct Rules

11. Action Plan against Corruption • Preventive Vigilance • Conduct Rules – Sanctions for violations • Elaborate procedures • Principles of Natural Justice • Vigilance Clearance for Appointments • Systemic Reforms • Surveillance and Detection • Inspection / Pre-audit • Identifying suspect corrupt elements. • List of Officers of Doubtful Integrity. • Property Returns

12. Action Plan Continued Deterrent Punitive Action • Sanctions under All India Services Conduct Rules • Sanctions for criminal misconduct and other acts • Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 • Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Penal Code • Close Monitoring

13. Citizens’ Charter • Citizens’ Charters publicize services to members of the public, commitment of the organization, expected standards of service delivery, timeframe, grievance redressal mechanism. • Are a tool of public scrutiny to ensure accountability. • 35 Central Government Ministries and Departments have formulated 127 Citizens’ Charters. • 683 Citizens’ Charters have been brought out by 24 State Governments/Union Territories.

14. Empowering the Civil Services • Stability of Tenure • Performance Appraisal System • Mid–Career Training Programme • Protection for bona fide actions taken by Civil Servants. • Public Services Bill

15. Public Services Bill Objective: To formulate Code of Ethics & Public service Management Code To provide a statutory basis for regulation of Public Services under Article 309 Components: Public Service Values Code of Ethics Public Service Management Code Performance Management System and Accountability Public Service Authority

16. PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration • Scheme to acknowledge outstanding performance of civil servants; focus on innovations, efficient service delivery, crisis management, leadership qualities etc. • Officers of Central and State Governments eligible. • Award to comprise of a medal, a scroll and cash amount to be given by the Prime Minister on January 26 every year. • Nominations to be made by Government Departments, NGOs and other stakeholders. • Selection Process made rigorous and transparent - Committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary with persons from outside the government.

17. Right to Information • To ensure availability & accessibility to information and bring out transparency in Government. • Right to Information Act applicable from October 2005. • Empowers the citizen to seek information from Public Authorities. • 22 States have constituted Information Commissions under Section 15 of the Act.

18. FINAL WORD • Out of Box Approach • Inculcate culture of performance: appreciate/ recognize positives • Focus on outputs and outcomes • Reengineer business processes and leverage technology for eliminating public interface • Provide sharing platforms for replication of best practices • Make islands of integrity grow beyond influence of individuals: systemic reforms • Create Research & Development Cells • Paradigm Shift

19. Hit & miss Uniformity Provision Producers Inputs “Received wisdom” Regulation Demarcation Look up Universal high standards Diversity Choice Customers/citizens Outcomes Data and best practice Incentives Flexibility Look outwards PARADIGM SHIFT Comfortable Demanding

20. Last Thought Ah! but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp. Or what’s heaven for? -Robert Browning