Fighting corruption essential for socio-economic development – Veerappa Moily

The Union Minister for Law & Justice, Dr. M. Veerappa Moily has said that “there is an emerging global consensus that fighting corruption and building ‘good governance’ are essential for the socio-economic development of any nation”.

He was giving valedictory address at the concluding session of the National Seminar on ‘Fighting Crimes Related to Corruption’ here today. He also said that the prevalence of corruption undermines social cohesion, wider participation of citizens in economic and political processes, distorts allocation of resources and delivery of public services particularly damaging the interest of the poor and marginalized sections of the society. This Seminar was jointly organized by LNJN National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science and CBI.

Dr. Moily exhorted CBI that, for instilling fear of punishment amongst the corrupt public servants, the present 65-70% conviction rate should be pushed forward. He also said that a coordinated effort is needed on the part of the police officers, law officers and the judicial officers to secure early disposal of the cases.

Govt. of India proposes to set up 71-new CBI courts for dealing with the cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and I am sure these additional courts will help in expediting the trial of anti-corruption cases. The impact of anti-corruption efforts of the Govt. will be felt, if the cases are registered and trial is completed in a time frame of 2 to 3 years.

The Minister suggested wide ranging reforms to curve corruption which included,

a. The scope of Prevention of Corruption Act should be widened to include:

- Gross perversion of the Constitution and democratic institutions amounting to willful violation of the oath of office.
- Abuse of authority by unduly favoring or harming someone
- Obstruction of justice
- Squandering public money
- Collusive bribery
b. The Corrupt Public servants (Forfeiture of Property) Bill as suggested by the Law Commission should be enacted without further delay.

c. Steps should be taken for immediate implementation of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act 1988.

d. There should be statutory protection for whistleblowers and victim protection.

e. A multi-member Lok Pal at the national level and Lok Ayuktas at the State level should be set up under the Constitution.

f. False Claims Act should be enacted.

g. Article 311 of the Constitution may be repealed along with the Article 310 and legislation should be passed under Article 309 to provide for the terms and conditions of service of public servants including necessary protection against arbitrary action.

h. Prior sanction should not be necessary for prosecuting a public servant who has been trapped red-handed or found in possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.

He also promised that he would consider the suggestions emerging out of the National Seminar favourably for implementation.

Shri Ashwani Kumar, Director, CBI in his welcome address emphasized the major ideas flagged by Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in his inaugural speech on Saturday, particularly the ideas that certainty of punishment has the deterrent effect on the corrupt public servants; issue of grant of prosecution sanction for public servant; confiscation of property of corrupt official, and prevalence of corruption as violation of basic human right. He also said that ‘menace of corruption needs to be handled comprehensively.

A multi disciplinary approach of the agencies associated with the delivery of criminal justice can only tackle this problem. It is high time to bring about synergy to optimise use of resources’.Shri S. C. Sinha, Special Director, CBI proposed a vote of thanks to the Chair. (EOM)