Question : CORRUPTION IN INDIA



(a) whether the annual survey report of Political and Economic Risk consultancy grading has ranked India at number nine among the most corrupt Asian Countries as reported in Mint Newspaper dated March 3, 2007;

(b) if so , the details thereof;

(c) the reactions of the Government on the report;

(d) whether the Government have any statistics on the subject;

(e) if so, the details thereof ; and

(f) the measures the Government would take to reduce /end corruption

Answer given by the minister


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.