CII may have forum to hear grievances::Right To Information Act and e-governance must be used to tackle corruption.

CII may have forum to hear grievances

Staff Reporter

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/17/stories/2006101719370400.htm

SMEs are vulnerable to corruption because of their size

 

 

 

Bangalore: Soon small and medium enterprises (SMEs) might have a forum to redress grievances on taxation issues. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is trying to create a mechanism to receive genuine complaints, with government cooperation, on taxation and then take them up with the Government.

N. Srinivasan, adviser to the CII president, said this while preparing the stage for the Integrity India Campaign, which will kick off in the city on October 19 with a session at Christ College.

Mr. Srinivasan justified the necessity of the measure by arguing that SMEs were vulnerable to corruption because of their size and they needed a redressal cell. “It is a matter of survival for them,” he said.

The highlight of the session will be an address by N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman of the Board and Chief Mentor, Infosys. One of the aims of the session is to “parade role models of ethical behaviour not just from the industry but also from the academic world, NGOs, media and civil society.

” It will include a panel discussion that will feature four SMEs — Conzerv Systems, Hitech Magnetics, Micromatic Grinding Technologies and Maini Materials Movement — that have set the benchmark for good business practices and R. Panchavarnam, Chairman, Panruti Muncipality, Tamil Nadu, who it is said has successfully implemented anti-corruption measures.

According to Mr. Srinivasan, the session will be a constructive discussion to address the issue of corruption and the absence of transparency, accountability and ethical behaviour.

He said systemic solutions such as the Right To Information Act and e-governance must be used to tackle corruption.