Zero-tolerance for corruption in deals: Antony -Oratory, omen or optimism?

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Zero-tolerance for corruption in deals: Antony

28 May 2009, 0103 hrs IST, TNN




NEW DELHI: Taking a firm stand, defence minister A K Antony said on Wednesday said that the government will not hesitate to cancel defence contracts in case any malpractice is found.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar, he pointed out that in the recent past, the government had “ruthlessly cancelled some big ticket items” when it found certain manipulations, adding, “In future also, I cannot say if there is malpractice we will take a lenient view.”

During Antony’s previous tenure, the government had cancelled the Eurocopter light utility helicopter deal last year. Talking tough on corrupt practices in defence procurements, the minister warned foreign suppliers “not to try and bribe our people”. “If they try, they will face the consequences, as also the officers and manufacturers who are in touch with them,”

he said indicating the government’s firmness in rooting out corruption. On challenges that India faces in its neighbourhood, the minister said instability in the region is a cause of concern.

In view of this, modernising the forces becomes important which leads to largescale procurement of defence equipment and weapons, he added.

“We must always be ready to meet any kind of threat. For that, the armed forces need more modern equipment,” Antony said, adding that the government is determined to speed up procurement while not compromising on transparency. Antony strongly favoured indigenisation of defence equipment and promoting self-reliance in meeting the requirements of the armed forces.


Zero-tolerance for corruption in deals: Antony - India - The Times of India
 

S.A.T.A

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The one thing that Mr Anthony brings with him,from all the rumbles and tumbles of Kerala politics,is supposed to be a squeaky clean image.Very often his clean image come at a political price,what with his less squeaky colleagues constantly had their daggers drawn against him.

While not noted for any exceptional administrative qualities,but his clean record should bring some merit to the defence ministry.anyway the MoD these days is run mostly by the bureaucrats.
 

johnee

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The one thing that Mr Anthony brings with him,from all the rumbles and tumbles of Kerala politics,is supposed to be a squeaky clean image.Very often his clean image come at a political price,what with his less squeaky colleagues constantly had their daggers drawn against him.

While not noted for any exceptional administrative qualities,but his clean record should bring some merit to the defence ministry.anyway the MoD these days is run mostly by the bureaucrats.
SATA,
that seems to be the case with most ministries.......

Change of individual minister or parties in power doesnt seem to make any big difference. GOI seems to be on an auto-pilot run by bureaucrats.:wink:
 

EnlightenedMonk

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SATA,
that seems to be the case with most ministries.......

Change of individual minister or parties in power doesnt seem to make any big difference. GOI seems to be on an auto-pilot run by bureaucrats.:wink:
That's the case with most governments...

The Sir Humphreys run the show and if they goof up the Jim Hackers get all the blame :D
 

S.A.T.A

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However in India the babu-neta relation run deeper.More often than not Humphrey's career is inextricably linked to the political fortunes of Mr Hacker.If Hacker goes you will invariable find Humphrey following soon.No wonder career babus dread general elections.
 

johnee

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However in India the babu-neta relation run deeper.More often than not Humphrey's career is inextricably linked to the political fortunes of Mr Hacker.If Hacker goes you will invariable find Humphrey following soon.No wonder career babus dread general elections.
You are right, SATA. Maya Madam seems to be on babu-hunting spree after debacle in General Elections.:maharani:
 

EnlightenedMonk

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However in India the babu-neta relation run deeper.More often than not Humphrey's career is inextricably linked to the political fortunes of Mr Hacker.If Hacker goes you will invariable find Humphrey following soon.No wonder career babus dread general elections.
You are right, SATA. Maya Madam seems to be on babu-hunting spree after debacle in General Elections.:maharani:
Somehow I feel the British system is slightly better than our own... because there the bureaucrats cannot get sacked on the whims and fancies of people like Mayawati... there has to be an enquiry commission (a real enquiry) and only then can they be relieved of duty...
 

S.A.T.A

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I think even In Britain,the respective minister has the option of bringing a certain favorite bureaucrat to run his ministry.Drafting policies and having them effectively implemented requires the Minister and top bureaucrat(secretary level) to be in the same wave length.This invariably means the Top bureaucrat will assign his own retinue of trusted junior bureaucrat at various key position within the ministry.

There is a whole food chain of bureaucrats,senior to junior level,whose position in the ministry depends on the minister returning to power five years down the line. A new minster even from within the same party might bring an entirely new team and the old guard is transferred.

There are merits and demerits for the above system.
 

johnee

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I think even In Britain,the respective minister has the option of bringing a certain favorite bureaucrat to run his ministry.Drafting policies and having them effectively implemented requires the Minister and top bureaucrat(secretary level) to be in the same wave length.This invariably means the Top bureaucrat will assign his own retinue of trusted junior bureaucrat at various key position within the ministry.

There is a whole food chain of bureaucrats,senior to junior level,whose position in the ministry depends on the minister returning to power five years down the line. A new minster even from within the same party might bring an entirely new team and the old guard is transferred.

There are merits and demerits for the above system.
Agree with you broadly. But in many instances it is noticed that politicians promise different things when they are in elections, but once elected they simply follow their predecessors' policies to large extent. IMO, thats becoz both the predecessor and the present one are being nose led by the babus(whether its desh or videsh).
For example, the Obama chacha seems to be backtracking on some of his 'liberal' views.
 

EnlightenedMonk

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I agree, both systems have their own merits and demerits.. but our system is surely becoming a sham lately...

Anyways, lets stick to discussing the statement of Antony and not get diverted from the topic...
 

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