MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) to (f) The Mint Wall Street Journal in an article published on
14 March 2007 has given some extracts of the findings of a Study
titled ` Corruption in Asia` brought out by an agency called Political
& Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. This report is as on date available
for free access on the internet. As such the report has not been
commissioned by the Government of India and reflects the views and
opinions of the said agency.
The Government is fully alive to the need to eradicate corruption and
effectively pursue its policy of `zero tolerance` to corruption.
Several steps have been taken to combat corruption and to improve
administrative functioning. Among the various measures taken in this
regard include, the enactment of the Right to information Act 2005,
the notification of the Whistle Blower Resolution, 2004, enactment
of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, the issue of
comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering and
contracting process by the CVC, introduction of a Citizens Charters,
simplification of procedures and systems, strengthening of the CBI
to discharge its anti corruption work and increased use of information
and communication technology in its work.