Integrity Pact is a tool which ensures
that all activities and transactions between a Company or Government Department
and their Suppliers are handled in a fair, transparent and corruption-free
manner. It prohibits any kind of bribing, favour or any other unethical
practice, which is closely monitored by honorary Independent External Monitors
(IEMs).
Addressing the gathering, Shri K V Chowdary, Central Vigilance
Commissioner said that Independent External Monitors (IEMs) should
not be seen as umpires but as guidance providers. IEMs are there to throw light
on the issues faced by vendors and advise the management regarding the same.
He further added that any vendor who has
a genuine grievance can approach the IEM. Observing that the signing of the MoU was a momentous step for NTC, Shri Chowdary said that the adoption of the Integrity Pact will formalize the various measures being undertaken by NTC to bring in fairness and transparency.
Dr. S. K. Panda, Secretary, Textiles said that vigilance is important for the health of any organization, more so in the public sector, since public money is involved. He said that one should follow rules and guidelines, and that where any deviation is made in organizational interest, the rationale for such deviation should be recorded in writing. He also highlighted the need for building strong systems, especially by the use of technology.
Shri P C Vaish, Chairman and Managing
Director, NTC Ltd signed the MoU on behalf of their organization and Shri P S
Bawa, Chairman, Transparency International India signed on behalf of TII. With
the approval of Central Vigilance Commission, Shri Kalyan Chand, Ex Director General,
Taxes and Shri Ashok Kumar Tripathi, Ex-Member, Company Board have been
appointed Independent External Monitors to oversee the implementation of
Integrity Pact at NTC Ltd.
NTC Ltd desires to implement Integrity
Pact in over 95% of contracts. The Integrity Pact was prepared as per the
guidelines laid down by the Central Vigilance Commission.
Shri Vaish said that NTC Ltd has been a
transparent and fair organization and signing the Integrity Pact will give
rejuvenated strength to the organization.
Background
In 2006, ONGC was the first Public
Sector Undertaking (PSU) to sign MoU with TII and implement Integrity Pact in its
public procurement processes. Within a decade of Integrity Pact implementation
in India, 48 major central PSUs have already become a part of the pact. Some of
the leading PSUs that have signed the pact are SAIL, Indian Oil Ltd, Oil India Ltd, GAIL, Western
Coalfields, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Pawan Hans Helicopters.
Orissa Power Generation Corporation Limited is the only state PSU and New Delhi
Municipal Corporation (NDMC) is the only municipality to sign a MoU with TII
for implementation of Integrity Pact.
NTC Ltd. is a Schedule-A
Public Sector Undertaking engaged and entrusted with Management and operation
of Sick Textile Undertakings taken over and nationalized through various Acts.
From a sick corporation NTC Ltd has moved to a turnover of Rs. 12 billion in
the year 2013-14 and operation loss to Zero.
Transparency International India (TII) is
an accredited chapter of Transparency International, Berlin. TII has been
working in the field of public procurement since 2005 with an aim to bring
about transparency in the tendering process. In the past decade TII has worked
with various stakeholders namely the government, public sector undertaking,
bureaucrats, media, academia and civil society in the quest of furthering the
transparent procurement agenda.
‘Integrity Pact’, a Transparency International conceptualized
instrument, has been vital in promoting clean procurement.
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DJM