Read this in Hindi:

प्राइवेट कंपनियों में भी अब नहीं चलेगी घूसखोरी!

NEW DELHI: The government is considering amendments in domestic laws that would criminalize any attempt to bribe foreign public officials and officials of public international organizations, and bring in other legislative changes that would make India fully compliant with the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).The home ministry is also considering a proposal for amendments in Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminalizing acts of bribery in the private sector. For this, the ministry has circulated a draft amendment bill among states for their views. The proposed amendments will address all pending legislative changes required for India to fully ratify UNCAC.Responding to a TOI article, the government said it was not dithering on ratifying UNCAC. “It may be mentioned in this context that the question of criminalization of bribery within the private sector is part of the general criminal law and, accordingly, a proposal for carrying out necessary amendments in IPC for criminalizing acts of bribery in the private sector is under consideration of the MHA,” an official statement said.On the reference contained in the article to the mandate of Article 16 of UNCAC, “it may be pointed out that in order to meet its obligations under this article, the government had introduced a standalone bill in Parliament, namely, the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organizations Bill, 2011”, it said.“The said bill, however, lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. A proposal for introduction of a fresh bill for criminalization of foreign bribery is under active consideration of the government,” it added.TOI had earlier reported how the government’s proposed amendments to the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act had partially addressed corruption in private sector, short of adequate changes that would satisfy Article 12 and 16 of UNCAC.Bringing corruption in private sector within the ambit of the PC Act is the prime focus of the proposed amendment bill. However, the government has addressed this issue partially by incorporating provisions on private entities to be held accused for bribing public servants, but excluded any provision that would have addressed rampant corruption within the private sector and criminalizing any act of bribing foreign public servants.Article 12 of UNCAC deals with preventive measures, which, inter alia, includes measures aimed at preventing corruption involving the private sector, enhancing accounting and auditing standards in the private sector, and, where appropriate, provide effective, proportionate and dissuasive civil, administrative or criminal penalties for failure to comply with such measures. The article contemplates the measures that can be taken by the state parties, in accordance with their respective domestic laws.