Addressing Corruption in the Public and Private Sectors
A sound Anti Corruption policy is one of the most important components of good governance. The importance of eradication of corruption emanates from the bitter experiences of developing countries entrapped in the corruption induced vicious cycle of low growth, less human development followed by even lesser growth. Public sector which accounts for a major share of the economy in every developing country, naturallyfinds primacy in the governance reforms aimed at reducing corruption. However, concentration of all the anti corruption efforts focused at public sector has its own pitfalls. This could lead to had total ignorance of the private sector corruption. Events like the Enron case, Asian melt down of the 1990s amply demonstrated that unchecked private sector corruption leads to catastrophic consequences.
Objectives of the session are therefore to identify prevalent patterns of corruption in both the public and private sectors, and search solutions for the optimal state response, areas for technical cooperation from the international bodies and means to promote international cooperation in these fields.
Access to information as a tool to fight corruption
The Right to Information Act of India, 2005 has been hailed as one of the most powerful Acts dealing with right to information globally. The objective of the Act is to promote transparency and accountability within the government. Now, after three years after the act has come into effect, a time has come to review its implementation and effectiveness in meeting the intended objectives. Through this session of the seminar, an attempt will be made to bring together representatives of all the important stake holders to elicit their views based on their experiences and to identify areas for further strengthening of the legal and administrative framework.
E-Governance as a tool to enhance transparency
It has widely accepted that natural monopoly, abundant discretion and lack of accountability breed corruption in the delivery of public services. Across the globe it has been proved that E-governance solutions mitigate the effects of these factors, leading to collateral benefit of reduced corruption. India is one of countries to embrace the e- governance practices with full earnest and to make it a major component of the governance reform agenda. The session will be dedicated to sharing of the good practices, identifying the gaps and to elicit suggestions for further improvement and propagation of these practices on a wider scale in South Asia.