Hyd: Institutional credibility crucial to combating corruption: Azad

Hyderabad, Sept 22 (TNT): Institutional credibility is central to the effectiveness of India’s anti-corruption framework, former Central Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Jha Azad said on Tuesday.

Addressing the 7th Prof S Venugopal Rao Memorial Oration on “How India Fights Corruption – The Institutional Credibility Test” at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Azad said India had a substantial legal and institutional framework to tackle corruption, but its effectiveness depended on the credibility of the institutions implementing it.

He identified independence, impartiality, competence, accountability, courage and protection of honest decision-making as the six pillars of institutional credibility.

Azad also stressed the need to strengthen investigative capabilities to deal with emerging forms of financial crime involving digital transactions, offshore structures, shell companies and cryptocurrencies.

He highlighted delays in investigation and prosecution, saying prolonged proceedings could weaken deterrence and, in cases where an accused was innocent, make the process itself punitive.

Azad, who also served as Secretary (Security), Government of India, and Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, underlined the importance of transparency, citizen participation and the Right to Information in strengthening institutional accountability.

ASCI Director General Dr N Ramesh Kumar welcomed the gathering, while Court of Governors Chairman K Padmanabhaiah recalled the contributions of Prof S Venugopal Rao.

The memorial oration was organised by ASCI in memory of Prof S Venugopal Rao and was endowed by the Prof S Venugopal Rao Memorial Charitable Trust.

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