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The Central Govt. set up the following four departments as anti-corruption measures:
The Committee while outlining the preventive measures that should be taken to significantly reduce corruption, emphasised four
major causes of corruption and how, in respect of each of these causes, preventive measures could be planned and implemented in a
sustained and effective manner. These causes are:
1. Administrative delays
2. Govt. taking upon themselves more than what it can manage by way of regulatory functions.
3. Scope for personal discretion in the exercise of powers vested in different categories of Govt. servants.
4. Cumbersome procedures dealing with various matters which are of importance to citizens in their day to day affairs.
Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel [Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1875-1950)], who is known as the Iron Man of India was responsible
for merging around 565 princely states into the Indian Union. The CVC conducts "Vigilance Awareness Week" during the last week
of October every year. An annual commemoration of Patel, known as the "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" (National Unity Day), was
introduced by the Govt. of India in 2014 and is to be held annually on his birthday, 31st October.
The CVC urges the Govt. Ministries/Departments/PSUs/Banks, etc. to conduct annual programmes on various subjects of vigilance
during the Vigilance Awareness Week. The CVC specifically comes with a theme on which the talks are to be arranged by the
Organizations. The theme for the year 2015 being "Preventive Vigilance as a Tool of Good Governance", talks on this and similar
other issues were organized by the Govt. of India Ministries/Departments, etc., all over the country.
* Text of the lecture delivered at the CSIR-Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad, Jharkhand 826001 on
30th October, 2015 during the "Vigilance Awareness Week".
Preventive Vigilance
"If we believe a thing to be bad, and if we have a right to prevent it, it is our duty to try to prevent it and damn the consequences."
- Lord Milner
Shri K.V. Chowdary, Central Vigilance Commissioner while addressing the media on 23rd October in connection with the annual
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"Vigilance Awareness Week" starting from October 26 to 31, inter alia, said:
==> The purpose of "Vigilance Awareness Week" is to generate awareness in the public at large about the bad effects of corruption.
Corruption is not taking money or giving money but it has a much larger significance of the process being compromised. We must
bring awareness among public.
==> The focus of the Commission was undergoing a transformation to preventive vigilance and early detection of corruption cases
so that they could be taken to their logical conclusion faster.
==> Preventive vigilance by having systems and processes in place after identifying bottlenecks is the CVC's first priority. Next is to
probe the commission of an offence. The core exercise is not to make a person commit an offence but only to ensure that the life of
public is made smoother.
==> Improving existing systems, internal vigilance, reviewing and inspecting processes and increasing levels of efficiency and
awareness among people was the way forward for the Commission.
==> Predominant task of Vigilance is to prevent that fault from taking place. Preventing Vigilance aims to root-out the causes of
complaints such as delay in decision-making, misuse of individual discretion in exercise of powers, complex procedures and low
accountability.
==> Lack of Vigilance or supervisory failure results in punitive Vigilance cases. Vigilance task is not limited to punitive actions,
i.e., to interfere after fault/error has been committed.
Definition of corruption
The word "corruption" is not defined in any enactment dealing with crimes, not even in the "Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988".
As per Santhanam Committee Report the term "corruption" in its widest connotation includes all improper and selfish exercise of
power and influence attached to a public Office.
The Supreme Court of India in one of its pronouncements had observed that the word 'corruption' does not necessarily include an
element of bribe taking. It is used in a much larger sense as denoting conduct, which is normally unsound or debased. The word is
not synonymous with the words dishonestly or fraudulently but is much wider. It even includes conduct, which is neither fraudulent
nor dishonest, if it is otherwise blameworthy or improper.
Why do we need Preventing Vigilance ?
Preventive vigilance calls for constant review of rules, procedures and practices which afford scope for corruption. It is required in
order to:
* do away with the "outdated" process and to have Standard Operating Procedures to check corruption.
* avoid delays which occur wherever the procedures and processes have become outdated in the current scenario and give rise to
bribe-seeking; and
* it is not about taking or giving money but it has a much larger significance of the process being compromised.
Some of the salient features of preventive vigilance in different segments of organization are enumerated below:
Purchases
* Should invariably be on a public tender basis;
* Whenever Limited Tender is resorted to, enquiries should be sent only by Certificate of Posting and adequate notice be given to
participate in tender;
* High value tenders should be both for technical and financial bids;
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* Technical bids should be scrutinized and approval of samples made before financial bids are opened;
* Once the samples are approved, then the lowest price concept should be implemented in awarding purchase contracts;
* List of suppliers should be reviewed periodically;
* Adherence of purchase conditions to be monitored;
* Delivery of material should be got checked with basic samples; and
* Review of settlement of bills of parties.
Sales
* Fixation of prices as well as deliveries to be monitored;
* Quality assurance;
* Review of dealers performance; discounts extended;
sale of substandard and damaged items; and presentation of bills.
Transport (Logistics)
* Should be done only on public tender basis; and
* Periodical evaluation of the performance of transporters.
Civil & Electrical Works
* Strict adherence to the procedure aid down by the CIL, BPE, CPWD, etc. in the execution of works; and
* Surprise checks of measurements, quality of material, etc.
Inventory
* Surprise check of stores both for quality and quantity; and
* Review of stores lying unused for long time to determine obsolescence.
Finance
* Payments by A/c payee cheques; electronic means, etc.
* Dispatch of cheques by certificate of posting instead of hand delivery;
* Review of debtors list; and
* Obtaining confirmation of balances outstanding from parties.
Personnel
* Periodical rotation of Officers/staff in sensitive posts;
* Review of the Immovable Properties Return of the individuals;
* Proper implementation of the Conduct, Discipline and Appeal Rules like weeding out corrupt Officers in public interest;
* Dispensation of unwanted procedures and practices;
* Streamlining procedures for recruitment; and
* Institution of an effective grievance procedure machinery.
Transparency/Integrity Policies
The highest possible degree of transparency in all aspects of Govt. is essential to promote integrity and to fight corruption. The
media, civil society and the private sector are indispensable partners for Govt. in this endeavour. Govts. should adopt, widely
publicise and enforce legislation and procedures that provide the public and the media in the best possible way an optimum degree
of access to information relevant to fighting corruption.
Initiatives to promote transparency
Right to Information Act, 2005
To provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of
public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a
Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Integrity Pact
The goal of the Integrity Pact is to reduce any chances of corrupt practices during procurement through a binding agreement between
the agency and bidders for specific contracts. It is intended to accomplish the following two primary objectives:
* To enable companies to abstain from bribing by providing assurances to them that (i) their competitors will also refrain from
bribing, and (ii) the government procurement, privatization or licensing agencies will undertake to prevent corruption, including
extortion, by their officials and to follow transparent procedures.
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* To enable governments to reduce the high cost and the distortionary impact of corruption on public procurement, privatization or
licensing. Thus, the Integrity Pact is a specific tool used to build transparency in public procurement, bidding or licensing process by
both public institutions and private agencies. The establishment of such a fair and transparent basis for awarding contracts not only
ensures efficiency but also helps in building public trust in the government and the private sector.
Independent monitors
* CBI, CVC, Judiciary, Print and Electronic Media, Civil Society, Private Sector, etc.
Penal clauses
The very existence of 'penal clauses' in an agreement between both the parties keeps the Officials on their toes and prompts them to
be alert.
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
Corruption Perception Index
Transparency international accords ranking to countries on corruption practices; "O" being corruption-free
Australia
7
9
11
Canada
9
9
10
China
80
80
100
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Denmark
1
1
1
France
22
22
26
INDIA
94
94
38
Malaysia
54
53
50
New Zealand
1
1
1
Norway
7
5
5
Pakistan
139
127
126
Singapore
5
5
7
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Sweden
4
3
3
The Netherlands
9
8
8
United Kingdom
17
14
14
United States
19
19
17
i) commission of criminal offences like demand and acceptance of illegal gratification, possession of disproportionate assets,
forgery, cheating, abuse of Official position with a view to obtaining pecuniary advantage for self or for any other person; or
Governance denotes the way organisations are directed and controlled to ensure that they are effective in achieving their objectives.
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Good Governance is about the processes for making and implementing decisions. It is not about making 'correct' decisions; but
about the "best possible process" for making such decisions. Good decision-making processes lead to Good Governance. All have a
positive effect on various aspects of an organization including consultation policies and practices, meeting procedures, service
quality protocols, Officer conduct, role clarification and good working relationships.
Having good processes generally lead to better outcomes for the organizations. Good Governance results in greater confidence,
transparency and ethical decision making.
Characteristics of Good Governance
Good Governance is:
Accountable: Accountability is a fundamental requirement of Good Governance. We do have an obligation to report, explain and be
answerable for the consequences of decisions.
Transparent: People should be able to follow and understand the decision-making process which means they will be able to clearly
see how and why a decision was made; and what sort of information, advice and consultation were considered.
Rule of law: Decisions are expected to be consistent, relevant to common law and are within the delegated powers.
Responsive: The Management should always try to serve the needs of the organization while balancing competing interests in a
timely, appropriate and responsive manner.
Equitable & Inclusive: The Organization's well-being should amply reflect in the decision-making process.
Effective & Efficient: The Management should implement decisions and follow processes that make the best use of the available
resources and time to ensure the best possible results.
Participatory: One should have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process
Benefits of Good Governance
Promotes confidence
* People are more likely to have confidence, if decisions are made in a transparent and accountable way.
* This helps people feel that the organization will act in the overall interest, regardless of differing opinions.
* It also encourages the staff to remember that the Management is acting on their behalf and helps them to understand the
importance of having open and ethical processes which adhere to the law and stand up to scrutiny.
Encourages confidence
* Officers will feel more confident in providing frank and fearless advice which is acknowledged and respected by the staff
members.
* Decisions that are formed by good information and data, by stakeholder views, and by open and honest debate will generally
reflect the broad interests of the organization.
* This does not assume that everyone will think each decision is the right one. They will also be less tempted to continue fighting or
attempting to overturn the decision. So even the most difficult and controversial decisions are more likely to stick on.
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* Good Governance creates an environment where the decision-makers ask themselves 'what-is-the-right-thing-to-do?'.
* Making choices and having to account for them in an open and transparent way encourages honest consideration of the choices
facing those in the governance process.
* This is the case even when differing moral frameworks between individuals means that the answer to
'what-is-the-right-thing-to-do' is not always the same.
Governmental initiatives
Good Governance also instills a greater sense of responsiveness, accountability, transparency and public service excellence in the
current system of governance and also fulfill the need for further simplifying the procedures and processes.
The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Govt. of India has also taken up the e-Office Mission Mode
Project (MMP) under National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) that has been conceptualized to modernize the Central Govt. Offices
through application of Information Technology.
The Govt. of India has introduced simplified Good Governance in the following aspects:
Out of the above, the following aspects appear to be more relevant to the preventive vigilance:
==> Thrust on identification and dissemination of Good Governance practices and innovation in public service delivery;
==> Emphasizing high ethical standards and responsiveness for civil servants;
==> Provision of platform for Govt. Officers to design/implement projects of their choice - to encourage motivation and personal
growth;
==> Provision of platform for interaction for the new recruits to the IAS;
==> Human Resource Management System framework being devised to manage vacancies related information on real time basis, to
aid better manpower placement and planning;
==> Senior bureaucracy being encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with students - a step towards nation-building;
==> Initiated uploading of RTI applications, Appeals and their replies on the Website;
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==> Filing of Performance Appraisal Report of IAS Officers through Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Window
(SPARROW);
i) Every member of the service shall at all times maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and shall do nothing, which is
unbecoming of a member of the service.
ii) Every member of the service shall take all possible steps to ensure integrity of and devotion to duty by, all Govt. servants for the
time being under his control and authority.
iii) No member of service shall, in the performance of his Official duties, or in the exercise of his powers conferred on him, act
otherwise than in his own best judgement to be true and correct except when he is acting under the direction of his Official superior.
iv) The direction of the Official superior shall ordinarily be in writing. Where the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the
Official superior shall confirm in writing immediately thereafter.
v) A member of the Service who has received oral direction from his Official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in
writing, as early as possible and in such case, it shall be the duty of the Official superior to confirm the direction in writing.
Good Conduct vis--vis Good Governance
* Good conduct in an organization means that staff should act with integrity and impartiality. They should be honest and diligent,
avoid conflicts of interest, treat people with mutual respect, act lawfully and show leadership.
* Good conduct or behaviour is an important part of a civil society. It is also the basis for good relationships which are, in turn,
crucial for Good Governance.
* Good conduct and good relationships are particularly significant in an organization because it relies on its staff working together as
the management to make decisions in the name of the organization regardless of whether individuals agree with a decision or not.
* Good relationships are characterised by mutual respect and courtesy which is especially important when there are differences of
opinion. Equally important is the need for Officials to listen to each other, and focus debate and discussion on the issues rather than
on personalities.
An important foundation of Good Governance in an organization is goodwill. Good Governance depends on the capacity and
preparedness of Management to behave well and do whatever is necessary to build and maintain good working relationships, the
administration supporting this, and staff members committing to repairing working relationships when things come unstuck as they
may do from time to time.
Thus, preventive vigilance is part of Good Governance and interdependent on each other for the common good.
Acknowledgement
The author is grateful to the Director, CIMFR, Dhanbad, and also the COA, AO and staff members for giving me an opportunity to
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2. Guidebook on "Promoting Good Governance in Public-Private Partnerships", United Nations, New York and Geneva, 2008
3. CVO, CSIR's Lr. No.CVO/PV/2010011/1 dated 16-9-2010
8. Brochure on "Good Governance Simplified", Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Govt. of India
9. "Measures for Preventive Vigilance", Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad, an aided Institution of Department of Atomic
Energy
10. "Ethics & Governance - A Perspective", Ranjana Kumar, Vigilance Commissioner, CVC, New Delhi
11. "Guide to Principles of Good Governance", British and Irish Ombudsman Association, Twickenham, Middlesex, U.K.
12. http://www.goodgovernance.org.au
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