Consultation Seeks to Strengthen Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures in Procurement in India
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New Delhi, India
(New Delhi, 19 April 2012) – The “National Consultation on Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures in Procurement” concluded today in New Delhi, India. Organized by the Global Compact Network India in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the consultation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance transparency and strengthen anti-corruption measures in the procurement process.
The consultation was attended by high-level representatives from the Central Vigilance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office; the Chief Vigilance Commissioner of Public Sector Units; industry associations; private companies; and civil society organizations.
In his inaugural address, T.K.A. Nair, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, outlined the basic objective of the Public Procurement Bill of 2011, designed to promote transparency and fairness in the procurement process. In the keynote address, S. Vasudeva, Chairman and Managing Director, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, and President of the Global Compact Network India, welcomed the consultation and highlighted the importance of benchmarking international good practices which can be applied to the country’s procurement process.
Over the course of two days, participants discussed issues ranging from procurement guidelines, industry-wide efforts, integrity pacts and whistle blower mechanisms to the UN Convention against Corruption and civil society’s engagement in public-private partnerships. Industry-wide efforts on transparency and procurement were highlighted by speakers from the Confederation of Indian Industries; the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Transparency; and the UN Global Compact. Key issues highlighted during the procurement consultation will be summarised shortly.
The National Consultation is part of the UN Global Compact and the Global Compact Network India’s joint project on anti-corruption collective action. Supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, the initiative is one of five collective action projects launched by the UN Global Compact in December 2010, in which it joined forces with Local Networks and strategic partners to develop anti-corruption collective action projects in the emerging markets of Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria, India and South Africa.
Contact
Ms. Olajobi Makinwa
Head, Transparency & Anti-Corruption
UN Global Compact
makinwa@un.org