Conclusion
According to Transparency International, incorporation of Integrity Pact has strengthened their campaign against corruption in the world arms trade. Integrity Pacts ‘bind all the bidders and the Government together in a contract to reduce the possibility of corruption occurring both during and after the tendering’. It may, however, be incorrect to over rate their value. Pledges mean little to the insincere.
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Integrity Pacts help focus on anti-corruption crusade and supplement weak laws existing in some countries. Their efficacy in the Indian context is highly limited as India already has a number of stringent laws and service rules for deterrence. Besides, Integrity Pacts without a highly credible independent monitor are of doubtful value.
Secrecy and transparency are anti-thesis of each other. Almost all defence deals are shrouded in varying degree of secrecy. Services’ proclivity for secrecy aggravates the problem. This lack of transparency creates doubts about their probity. There is considerable scope for down-classification of many procurement proposals. Transparency can instill confidence in the environment about the uprightness of the complete process.
India must handpick procurement functionaries with unblemished record and proven integrity. Thereafter, they should be permitted complete freedom to process procurement cases with total support of the establishment. All decisions taken in good faith must be backed. Diligent, meticulous and conscientious functionaries are India’s best bet against manipulations in defence deals. Predilection for delaying files on specious grounds must always be viewed with suspicion and looked into. Additionally, close monitoring through an effective oversight mechanism is absolutely indispensable.
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