RTI Application addressed to Central Vigilance Commission

23 March 2009

Subject matter of information : Ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), by the Govt. of India, signed on 9th December 2005, to facilitate disclosure, seizure and repatriation to India of unaccounted for money and other assets stashed in foreign banks by the Indian nationals

Period to which information relates: From 9th December 2005, date of India signing the said UN Convention up to date.

Description of the Information required: specific issues on which information is required is briefly stated hereunder within quotes:-

“The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was signed by the Government of India on 9th December 2005 but the same has still not been ratified even after a lapse of more than three-and-a-half years, whereas in contrast 129 countries including small countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and even Afghanistan have ratified the said Convention. Has the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which is an autonomous and independent body, taken any initiative in reminding the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Dept. of Personnel and Training), Ministry of Finance or any other Ministry of the Government of India to expedite ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption? If the reply is in affirmative, this applicant would like to have copies of the letters of recommendation and reminders on the subject issued by the CVC to the concerned Ministries and the replies received from them.”

Purpose:-The applicant’s interest in the subject consists in the fact that by ratifying the said Convention the Government of India could legally press the other countries to disclose, seize and transfer to it unaccounted for bank deposits and other assets of Indian nationals under Article 51of the said Convention. This would enable the Government of India to mop up and bring back to the country huge amount of resources in the national interest that are stashed abroad and to that extent relieve the financial burden on law-abiding tax-paying citizens.”

July - September, 2009