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IRI to intensify drive against corruption
India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI) has decided to intensify its crusade against corruption at the top in the government, reports Masoodul Hasan.
India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI) has decided to intensify its crusade against corruption at the top in the government. The group would be meeting in Delhi on November 27 to further chalk out action plan in this connection.
Talking to Hindustan Times here on Tuesday the Principal Secretary (National Integration) and IRI coordinator VS Pandey said there would be focused attention on tackling the menace of corruption.
He said emphasis would be on accountability of person occupying top position in the government. He said these officers would be made accountable for “every penny they possess”. However Pandey said it would be possible only by public movement. He said it would take time.
The IRI, headed by former Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti, has been trying to enlist the support of like-minded people to give boost to the movement. Pandey said the IRI had also written to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for the constitution of “integrity commission” to ensure transparency in public life. Pandey said Integrity Commission could adopt 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 had regarding the assets of the concerned individuals.
He said the commission could, thereafter, make discreet enquiries before making its findings public. The IRI coordinator said the investigating agencies could assist commission. He said necessary action could be quickly taken against those who were found to possess assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. The IRI has also decided to approach industrial groups, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, leaders of recognized political parties and intellectuals to widen the base. The IRI is consisting of former chief election commissioner JM Lyngdoh, former Comptroller and Auditor General VK Shunglu, ex-DGP JF Ribeiro and several other serving and retired bureaucrats.
