The Central Vigilance Commission organized a two day national seminar on “Combating Corruption, Role of Accountability Institutions, Investigating Agencies, Civil Society and Media” to mark the Golden Jubilee Celebrations here from today.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India as the Chief Guest said that the CVC was the result of the Santhanam Committee’s recommendation that an apex body be set up exercising general superintendence over vigilance administration in Government. The President said that over the years, successive Governments have progressively strengthened the institutional framework for addressing corruption with the establishment of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Directorate of Enforcement, State Anti-Corruption agencies and Lokayuktas.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister in his Presidential address mentioned that the CVC is a very important part of the institutional framework for fighting corruption and ensuring probity, transparency and accountability in the work of conduct of public servants.
Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, ShriV.Narayanasamy, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office and Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for Communications & Information Technology and Law & Justice also spoke on this occasion. Earlier, ShriPradeep Kumar, Central Vigilance Commissioner delivered his welcome address.
On the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebrations, the President released the commemorative stamp and the Minister Shri Kapil Sibal presented the first copy of the stamp album to the President. The Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh released coffee table book and presented its first copy to the President.
Union Minister of State for Personnel,Public Grievances and Pensions Shri VNarayanasamy has said that it is important to identify and punish corrupt individuals, for which we have to make sure that action is taken for effective investigation and quick trial to hand out swift and adequate punishment to the wrong-doers.
Delivering the welcome address at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) here today the Minister said the anti-corruption functionaries need new and effective ways to conduct multi-jurisdictional corruption investigations and prosecutions.
He said “informal channels, such as police-to-police contacts, Joint investigations by all the jurisdictions involved in cross-border cases help bring the full extent of corrupt schemes to light and their perpetrators to justice. Where formal channels to obtain legal assistance are necessary, they must not be subject to undue delays”.
Shri Narayanasamy said the proposed amendments to the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, treat both the bribe taker and bribe giver equally for offences of bribery, besides there are provisions for confiscation of ill-gotten proceeds of bribery.
He said in addition to the legislative measures, the Government has set up more than 90 Special Courts for trial of CBI cases, so that cases do not linger on for several years. The Minister said substantial efforts have been made to enhance the resources available at the disposal of the CVC, the CBI and other anti-corruption functionaries.
Shri Narayanasamy said time lines have been put in place for various stages of departmental proceedings so that the corrupt are brought to book swiftly, and the innocent are not subjected to undue harassment due to prolonged proceedings.
