Topics Covered: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Integrity Pact in govt. organisations:
Why in News?
The Central Vigilance Commission has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on adoption of “Integrity Pact” in government organisations for procurement activities.
- This order revises the SOP issued in January 2017.
As per the amended SOP:
- For appointment as Integrity External Monitors (IEMs), the Ministry, department or organisation concerned has to forward a panel of suitable persons to the CVC, of those persons who are in the panel maintained by the Commission.
- Maximum tenure of IEMs: 3 years in an organisation.
What is an integrity pact?
The pact is to ensure transparency, equity and competitiveness in public procurement.
They were developed as a tool for preventing corruption in public contracting.
- It is a vigilance tool that envisages an agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer, committing both the parties not to exercise any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract.
- It is a tool developed by Transparency International.
Who are IEMs?
The Integrity Pact envisages a panel of Independent External Monitors (IEMs) for each organisation.
- IEM reviews independently and objectively, whether and to what extent parties have complied with their obligations under the pact.
- They may submit a report to the chief executive of the organisation concerned or directly to the CVO and the CVC, if they find serious irregularities attracting the Prevention of Corruption Act provisions.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What is an integrity pact?
- Who are IEMs?
- About CVC.
- Who can be Integrity External Monitors (IEMs) as per the latest amendments?
- Tenure of IEMs.
Mains Link:
What is an integrity pact? Discuss its significance.
Sources: the Hindu.
