Fear of graft taint stalling decisions: Kapil Sibal

The pervasive fear of being persecuted for decisions, even those intended in the right spirit, is preventing many officials & ministers from taking much-needed steps, said Kapil Sibal.

MUMBAI: A telecom company can be penalised anywhere between nil and Rs 50 crore for violating rules. But bureaucrats are now so worried of being accused of corruption that they are levying the maximum amount, almost as a rule. Nor is there any chance of the fine being lowered by the minister, who is equally reluctant to invite charges of graft.

The pervasive fear of being persecuted for decisions, even those intended in the right spirit, is preventing many top officials and ministers from taking much-needed steps, said Kapil Sibal, Union minister for communications and HRD. He was speaking at a discussion on the "Agenda for Renewal" between India Inc and a group of cabinet ministers at The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence, here on Saturday.

The open forum, which was also attended by Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh and Union law minister Salman Khurshid, witnessed top CEOs urging the government to break free from the current policy paralysis that is hampering economic growth. The discussion -- in which both India Inc and the ministers participated with equal candour -- covered a range of issues, including land acquisition, the parliamentary logjam and pending bills, and speeding up reforms.