Economic Times: New Delhi:
Thursday, May 16, 2013.
Against the
backdrop of several scams, Defence Minister A K Antony today said a perception
has evolved in the public that Government was not serious about eradicating
corruption from the country.
However, the
Minister said the Government was making serious efforts to end the menace and
this was illustrated by the implementation of the RTI Act which will "make
the walls of secrecy crumble and help in eradicating corruption".
"Corruption
is a menace... However, despite our serious efforts, the general perception
among people is that the Government is not serious about eradicating
corruption. However, our Government is serious on this issue and this is
illustrated by the RTI Act," he said at a Transparency International event
here.
"The RTI
Act is still in a nascent stage and I am sure that in few years, the walls of
secrecy will crumble in all walks of life. No institution can protect their
misdeeds by secrecy because of RTI. This will help in eradicating
corruption," Antony said.
In recent
times, several scams have rocked the UPA government including the 2G spectrum
allocation, coalgate, choppergate and the bribery scandal in the Railways
Ministry.
Commenting on
the steps taken by the Government to check corruption in the defence sector, he
said, "Whenever we receive complaints, we do not throw them in the waste
bin. Whenever anyone is found guilty, we take serious action after proper
inquiry."
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