After extensive deliberations, India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI) has decided that in order to restore probity in public life, it is essential to focus on corruption in the top echelons of administration. The most effective way to do so is by focusing on ‘outcome’ of corruption (movable and immovable assets of public servants) rather than ‘process’ of corruption, i.e. flouting of Government Orders, rules etc. It is felt existing anti-corruption institutions have failed to effectively nail the corrupt public servants as it is very difficult to prove wrong doing through perusal of files and file notes. It will be easier to prove accumulation of assets (both movable and immovable) disproportionate to one’s known sources of income.

In the letter addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, IRI had spelt out its basic views on the subject. Key points of the idea are as under:

§         Property returns of all public servants who occupied or are occupying high public office in government need to be verified in a “fast track manner”.

§         An Integrity Commission could be set up by Government of India at the National level.

§         The Integrity Commission can adopt the simple method of verification by first making public the returns filed by the concerned public servants and then inviting the public to come out with whatever information they have regarding the assets possessed by the concerned individual.

§         The Commission can also make discreet enquiries before making its findings public.

§         All investigating agencies of Government like the CBI, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Economic Offences Wing, Intelligence Bureau, Vigilance Directorate, etc. to provide assistance to the Integrity Commission.

§         Necessary action to be taken against those who are found to possess assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

An answer to the question why there should be verification of property returns of top public servants by an Integrity Commission has been attempted in the Discussion Paper produced below. Readers are requested to send their suggestions on the central idea as well as certain other facets of the idea such as:-

Coverage

Ø       Who all should be covered under the category of ‘top public servants’?

Ø       Should this list include both political executive as well as top bureaucrats?

Ø       Should the Integrity Commission focus on the following –

       All Union Cabinet Ministers

       All Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers of State Governments

       All Secretaries to Government of India including Cabinet Secretary

       All Joint Secretaries & above in Government of India 

       All Secretaries to State Governments including Chief Secretary

       All Inspector Generals of Police including Director Generals of Police

       All Heads of Public Sector Units with turnover of Rs.100 crore and above per annum

Publication of Property Returns

Ø       Should the Property Returns of all public servants be posted on the web site?

Ø       Should the Property Return formats be revised to include details of both  movable and immovable assets including balance in Bank Accounts?

Composition of Integrity Commission

Ø       Should the Integrity Commission be a single member or multi-member body?

Ø       Should the Integrity Commission be set up under the Commissions of Inquiry Act?

Working of Integrity Commission

Ø       Should the task of verification of property returns of top public servants be undertaken as a one-time surgical exercise to cleanse the body politic or be made an institutional arrangement?

Ø       Should there be compulsory screening of property returns of all public servants deemed eligible for occupying certain sensitive posts in Government?

Reports of Integrity Commission

Ø       Should reports of Integrity Commission be made public as soon as it is submitted to Government or kept confidential?

Ø       How much time should be given to Government for taking action against public servants whose integrity cannot be certified by the Integrity Commission?

Public Integrity Commission

Ø       In case Government refuses to set up an Integrity Commission then should the civil society set up the same and proceed?

These are some of the issues which need to be deliberated upon and views firmed up.

India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI) seeks the views and suggestions of the general public on aforesaid issues, which can be sent at the e-mail address irinitiative@gmail.com  or the postal address of IRI.

The first in a series of discussion papers prepared by IRI on Verification of Property Returns of top public servants by an Integrity Commission:
 

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