Amaravati: IIM-Ahmedabad, ACB ink pact to check graft

Amaravati: In a landmark decision taken by the State government to curb corruption in various government departments, the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) has been roped in to work in coordination with the Anti- Corruption Bureau.

In the first phase, the government aimed to plug the loopholes in the administration to ensure that misuse of power cannot be resorted to. At a review meeting held by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office in Tadepalli on Thursday, IIM (A) professor Sundaravalli Narayana Swamy and ACB chief Kumar Viswajeet signed an agreement to work in coordination to identify corruption in high places. After a detailed study, a report would be submitted to the government by February third week next year. The panel would look into the functioning of the newely-formed Village and Ward Secretariates.

Speaking to the Hans India, Vishwajeet said the Chief Minister had taken a bold step to curb corruption. "Government will plug the loopholes in administration by introducing certain reforms in governance based on the suggestions of IIM (A). The procedural loopholes to be addressed in the first. Then there will be direct advantage for the public to access government services".

The salient features of the agreement are to outline guidelines to curb corruption right from the village level to all the government departments. A detailed study of the functioning of government departments, the income and expenditure needed for the governance would be taken up. The lacunae in the present governance would be identified and corrective measures suggested.

Similarly, a study would be conducted for the proper utilisation of the existing resources, increasing the quality of governance and to achieve positive results. The committee will also suggest remedial measures to end corruption in various departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Sundaravalli said it was a great privilege for the IIM (A) to work with Andhra Pradesh government. Chief secretary Neelan Sawhney and DGP Gautam Sawang were among the officials present on the occasion.