Now CAG Mr. Vinod Rai Also Confrms Views That Corruption Starts From Top

Root out corruption to improve standard of administration: CAG

Press Trust of India / Shillong November 06, 2012, 14:35 (Published in Business Standard ) India will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency in administration unless corruption in high places is not destroyed and nepotism and black marketing is rooted out, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai said today. The CAG also noted that citizen groups have become very discerning and more demanding. "Unless we destroy corruption in high places, root out every trace of nepotism, love of power, profiteering and black marketing which have spoilt the good name of this country in recent times, we will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency in administration as well as in the production and distribution of the necessary goods of life," he said quoting the speech of first Vice President S Radhakrishnan on the eve of India's Independence, towards midnight on August 14, 1947. he CAG was addressing the 20th convocation of the North Eastern Hills University here which conferred degrees to 8,035 students including 94 who received doctorate degrees in various disciplines. Reminding the students that there are great opportunities ahead in their career, Rai warned that "when power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days." He said, today the issues of ethics, accountability, probity and transparency have come at centre stage. "Citizen groups have become very discerning and more demanding. What was earlier the silent and hence probably the suffering majority has begun to speak up," the CAG said, adding, "Time has come when we will all be held responsible for our actions, the way the foundation of an ideal society are laid." (MORE) http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/root-out-corruption-to-improve-standardadministration-cag/76609/ CAG for constitutional status to CBI, CVC By Yogima Seth Sharma Nov 07 2012 , New Delhi  Comptroller and auditor general of India, Vinod Rai, favoured giving more teeth and constitutional authority for bodies like Lok Pal and independence for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He also asked companies in both private and public sector to come clean by ensuring transparency in operations. “We have a remarkable example of Lokpal, which has to be guaranteed constitutional authority to function independently. CBI is not independent of executive, while CVC is much feared, much maligned, but still a statutory body. If you really want them to deliver you have to make them constitutional,” Rai said, while speaking at the conglomeration of World Economic Forum on Wednesday. CAG had been virtually a dormant body for several years. However, lately the institution has gained prominence after it unearthed various scams amounting to several lakhs of crores, thus suggesting the real ability of these institutions to deliver as per their mandate. CAG is independent of executive and the government cannot remove him or her for six years after appointment. Rai, who believes that corruption cannot be completely eradicated, but cro­nyism and nepotism could be brought down, also pitc­hed for the introduction of an element of transparency in the functioning of corporates. He said the onus to bring about change was not on the government only, but on citizens, citizen groups and media, too. “There is a need to scale up the level of policy implementation as many lacunae and loop-holes exist in the system,” he added. Kris Gopalakrishnan, executive co-chairman of Infosys, said, “The challenge is to create strong institution, scale up the role of existing institutions and create strong public opinion, which in turn will create political pressure.” http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/cag-constitutional-status-cbi-cvc-537 Government's brazenness in decision making appalling: CAG Vinod Rai GURGAON: CAG Vinod Rai, whose reports on irregularities in coal block allocations and 2G telecom spectrum had created a major political storm, today deprecated the "brazenness" with which the decisions were being taken, calling it "appalling".  "The brazenness (with which) decisions were being taken is actually appalling...", he said speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet here. The Comptroller and Auditor General, however, noted that with the Right to Information (RTI) act administrative and political executive have become conscious that they "will have to be answerable".  "....each one of us will be held accountable, we are conscious of that," he said adding that today everything is in the public domain. Reacting to his remarks, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari hit back at the CAG saying if he talked about brazennes in decision-making, then questions could be raised about the time when he was in the government.  "If he talks about brazenness in decision-making and if it refers to the time-period of this particular government, I think it would be worth his while to recall that he was part of the same government from 2004 to 2008. "And I guess, when he talks about brazenness, that paradigm equally applies across the board to everyone who was part of the government," Tewari said.  The CAG also sought constitutional status for agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to make them effective instruments for fighting corruption.  "... if you really want some of these institutions (like CBI and CVC) to deliver, you must take a risk and ... take courage to make them Constitutional," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Governments-brazenness-in-decision-making-appalling-CAG-Vinod-Rai/articleshow/17131819.cms 7 NOV, 2012, 07.20PM IST, PTI  Cancel 8 coal mines to PSUs, deduct bank guarantee of two: IMG NEW DELHI: Published in Economic times  Stepping up action against erring PSUs which failed to develop coal mines, the Inter-Ministerial panel on coal blocks has recommended de-allocation of eight such blocks after scrutiny of 19 cases.  The panel, whose earlier recommendation for de-allocation of 13 mines to private firms has already been accepted by the government, has also asked for imposition of bank guarantee in six cases and deduction in two cases.  "The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) reviewed 19 coal blocks allotted to public sector firms in the last two days. It has recommended for de-allocation of eight mines and deduction of bank guarantee in two cases," a government official told PTI.  In six cases, it has recommended for imposition of bank guarantee, the official said.  "Among the blocks recommended for de-allocation are Mandakini, Utkal- D and Touli-Paharpur," he said added that the remaining 14 cases would be examined by theIMG post-Diwali.  Utkal-D coal block in Odisha was allotted to Orissa Mininig Corporation (OMC) in December 2003 whileMandakini block was given to Assam Mineral Development Corporation.  Another block which has been de-allocated is Shankarpur/Bhatgaon II & Extension block in Chhattisgarhalloted to Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation in 2007.  The block in Bisrampur Coalfields has a geological reserve of 80 million tonnes (MT).  The decision to de-allocate the blocks followed marathon meetings on November 5 and 6 by the IMG, which has so far reviewed 19 out of 33 cases.  The IMG on October 9 and 10 had examined 33 coal blocks allocated to public sector firms including Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation, NALCO and MMTC which were issued notices for delay in production.  The panel has already concluded the scrutiny of 31 coal blocks allotted to 51 private firms and last month the government had accepted its recommendations for de-allocation of 13 mines and deduction of bank guarantees of 14 allottees.  A total of 58 mines were issued show-cause notices for their failure to develop blocks within stipulated timeline. The government had formed the IMG in July to review progress of coal blocks allocated to firms for captive use.  The CAG had estimated that undue benefits to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore might accrue to private firms on account of allocation of 57 mines to them without auction. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/metals-mining/cancel-8-coal-mines-to-psus-deduct-bank-guarantee-of-two-img/articleshow/17131387.cms