The fight against corruption is incomplete unless illegal assets are recovered; says Secretary(Personnel) Shri P.K.Misra
Director CBI Shri Amar Pratap Singh stresses the need for strengthening international cooperation to fight corruption.
CBI Press Release
New Delhi , 17.02.2012
The Valedictory Session of the First Interpol Global Programme on Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery was held in the CBI(Headquarters) in New Delhi today. Secretary(Personnel), Govt. of India Shri P.K.Misra was the Chief Guest at the Session. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary(Personnel) said that it is high time we should realize the fallout of corruption. He said the fight against corruption is incomplete unless we recover the illegal assets and wealth amassed by corrupt persons. Shri Misra said the corrupt should be not only brought to book but their illegally amassed wealth should also be recovered & attached, as such property and wealth which is created through corrupt & illegal means is basically a fruit of crime. Secretary(Personnel) said that in his view, no fight against corruption is complete unless we recover and attach these illegal assets. Shri Misra commended the joint effort of INTERPOL and the Central Bureau of Investigation in organising this course.
Addressing the participants, Director CBI Shri Amar Pratap Singh said, ‘the programme was able to highlight the objective of strengthening international cooperation to fight corruption. He said the programme also threw light on understanding different ways & means being adopted across the globe and different methodologies adopted for tracking proceeds of corruption. Director, CBI added that in today’s globalised context, effective international co-operation is essential for fighting corruption that transcends international boundaries. He said effective cooperation amongst all the Law Enforcement Agencies is required.
The First Global Programme on Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery was attended by 38 police officers, investigators and prosecutors from various INTERPOL Member countries from across the world, including Australia; Afghanistan; China; Hongkong; Sri Lanka; United Kingdom; Indonesia; Fiji; Malaysia; Nepal; Singapore; Philippines and India.
Various Sessions of the programme were addressed by Senior Officers of the Interpol & the CBI. Representatives of the UNODC, Senior Officers of the Enforcement Directorate, Experts from the American Bar Association, Chartered Accountants and Cyber Forensic experts shared their experience/expertise with the participants.
Some years ago, a CBDT Member (lady) in charge of vigilance was relieved of her charge abruptly to save some dishonest and corrupt officers. Does the CBI or the CVC know about this episode?
All this is known to the powers that be since independence and the bureaucracy is a most unwilling party to the insertion of an amendment in each of the relevant laws (including the PCA, Income-tax Act, etc.) to confiscate the illegally acquire the assets found/seized in any action against the corrupt/criminals. No doubt, the politicians are against any such proposal, but the bureaucratic attitude is no less manifest in this regard. For instance, the govt. is yet to frame and notify the rules under the Benami Properties (Prohibition) Act and the reasons are not far to seek. It is simply ludicrous to blame the UPA as the NDA-BJP FOLLOWED THE SAME RAJDHARMA, BEING LED BY THE SAME “ËLITIST CLASS” OF BUREAUCRATS. The talk by the top bureaucrat thus is a mere addition to the record of proceedings in a meeting/conference resulting in just nothing. Corruption is all pervading. Nothing can be done to free the daily life from the poison of corruption, as govt. babus will go to and return from offices in office cars, their children will go to schools/colleges in red light mounted govt. vehicles and their wives (if not in the same service) will go ariund malls, etc. in similar vehicles, duly guarded by security staff. Anna Hazare and his retinue raise no cries against all this. Why must not all govt. servants be compelled to travel by public transport to see the travails of their commoner countrymen and forced to stand in ques art govt hospitals in the OPDs? Who will report to the higher authorities of he sufferings at every moment of the existence of the ordinary human beings who are best described as “ündeads” as they die at every interaction with a constable or a municipal employee or a public bus conductor or an electricity/water supply office worker or a railway booking clerk? What is the machinery to bring to the notice of the highest these running experiences in the remotest corners for immediate action against the erring and corrupt employees or anti-social politicians?