(a) whether the Government is aware of the Supreme Court`s remarks on graft in Government`s departments, ‘Nothing moves without money’ wherein it expressed concern over growing corruption in Government machinery, particularly in the Income Tax, Sales Tax and Excise Departments as
reported in the media;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps proposed to check rampant corruption in public dealing departments in the country?
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of
State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime
Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs .(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ
CHAVAN)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) : Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered a case against Shri Madan Mohan Lal Verma,
Inspector Income Tax, W-2 (6), Jalandhar, for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs. 25,000/-.
The case was transferred to CBI for investigation; a charge sheet was filed before the Court
of Special Judge, CBI, Punjab at Patiala; and the accused was sentenced to undergo one year
RI with a fine of Rs. 2,500/- . The accused filed a Criminal Appeal against his conviction
in the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh which set aside the conviction and
acquitted the accused. Against the said acquittal, CBI filed Special Leave to appeal before
the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The same has been converted into a Criminal appeal and admitted on
08.10.2010.
(c) : Government is fully committed to implement its policy of “Zero Tolerance against
Corruption†and is moving progressively to eradicate corruption from all spheres of life by
improving transparency and accountability. Several steps have been taken to combat
corruption and to improve the functioning of Government. These include -
(i) Issue of Whistle Blowers Resolution, 2004;
(ii) Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005;
(iii) The pro-active involvement of Ministry/Department through Annual Action Plan on
Vigilance as a preventive measure;
(iv) Issue of comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering and contracting process
by the CVC;
(v) Issue of instructions by the CVC asking the organizations to adopt Integrity Pact in
major Government procurement activities; Similar instructions have been issued by the Central
Government on 16th June, 2009 advising the State Governments to adopt Integrity Pact in major
procurements;
(vi) India is amongst the countries who have signed the United Nations Convention against
Corruption;
(vii) Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedures and systems;
(viii) Issue of Citizen Charters.