Centre likely to come up with model Act for curbing corruption

Hyderabad, Aug 4 (UNI) Expressing concern over rampant corruption in the area of procurement by the Government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) P Shankar today said the Centre would come out with a model Act shortly for all States to end the menace of corruption.

Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a seminar, the CVC praised the Lok Ayukta model in Karnataka and also the similar setups in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, for having several positive features in curbing corruption. The independence of State Vigilance Commissioner was a positive aspect in Andhra Pradesh, he added.

He noted that procurement by Government and Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) accounted for only two-third of corruption cases.

Finding fault with some PSUs negotiating with the second highest bidder after opening the sealed tender, he said in such situations people would lose faith in the system.

Thanking the judicial activism and alertness of civil rights organisations, he said the situation was improving and called for strengthening of the procedure in PSUs and Government for issuing of contracts.

The CVC, conducting an average 200 inspections, wanted to increase the number to 1000 to improve the situation.

Earlier, addressing the seminar organised by the Vigilance Study Centre, he said 'the cancerous corruption' should be nipped in the bud .

''We don't want building up of cases for the CVC. Our role is to see that the general environment improved in the Government departments and PSUs,'' he said.

UNI SM RL DS1601