(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item under the caption `Rajan Cautions against strong Government without accountability;`
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government with regard to transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister`s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (c): The news-item represents a point of view. The Central Government is fully alive and committed to implement its policy of `Zero Tolerance against Corruption` and has taken several measures to increase accountability. These includes:-
(i) Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005;
(ii) Enactment of the Lokpal & Lokayuktas Bill, 2013;
(iii) Enactment of Whistle-blowers Protection Bill, 2011;
(iv) Issue of comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering and contracting process by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC);
(v) Issue of instructions by the CVC to the organizations for adopting Integrity Pact in major Government procurement activities;State Gove- rnments have also beenadvised to adopt Integrity Pact in major pro- curements;
(vi) Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedures and systems; (vii) Issue of Citizen Charters;(viii) Ratification of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2011;
(ix) Placing of details of immovable property returns of all Members of the All India Services and other Group `A` officers of the Central Gove- rnment in the public domain;
(x) Setting up of 92 additional Special Courts exclusively for trial of CBI cases in different states.