(a) whether the Government plans to set up separate cells to investigate corruption charges levelled against
politicians and other high profile personalities;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the steps likely to be taken to expedite investigations against VIPs and save the reputation of the
country both at national and international level?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the
Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) & (b): There is no proposal with the Government for setting up separate cells to investigate corruption charges
leveled against politicians and other high profile personalities.
(c): The legal framework for combating corruption in the country is contained in the Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1988. The Act does not differentiate between different levels of public functionaries and applies equally to all
categories of public servants.
It is the endeavour of the Government to strengthen its anti-corruption laws and other mechanisms from time to
time so as to ensure that the corrupt, irrespective of their status, are punished effectively and expeditiously.
In pursuance of Government’s efforts to constitute a mechanism for dealing with complaints against public functionaries
including in high places, the Government has introduced the Lokpal & Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 in the Parliament. In order to
further strengthen the anti-corruption mechanism, the Government has also introduced the Public Interest Disclosures and
Protection of Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010 (passed by Lok Sabha as the Whistle-blowers Protection Bill, 2011)
and the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organizations Bill, 2011,
in Parliament.