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His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Hon'ble Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs, Central Vigilance Commissioner, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Member Secretary, Planning Commission, Member Secretary, Administrative Reforms Commission, Secretaries to the Government of India, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Former Directors of Central Bureau of Investigation and I.B., esteemed invitees, distinguished delegates to the Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I consider it a distinct honour to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on behalf of Delegates of this Conference, Central Bureau of Investigation and all those present here. Our President is a rare combination of sterling qualities and coveted distinctions, - a distinguished scientist, great humanist and a nationalist to the core. By your kind presence, Sir, you have also bestowed a singular honour to the 16th Biennial Conference of CBI and State Anti Corruption Bureaux. Sir, We are immensely encouraged and look forward to your inaugural address, which, I am sure, shall further inspire us to accomplish the difficult task of combating corruption.
I also extend a warm welcome to Hon'ble Minister of State for Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs, distinguished delegates from State Anti Corruption Agencies, former Directors of Central Bureau of Investigation and all those present here.
The Biennial Conference provides a unique platform to the Central Bureau of Investigation and State Anti Corruption Agencies engaged in the task of tackling corruption to discuss the matters of common interest. It also affords an opportunity to share information, device new strategies to combat corruption and share our experiences.
Diverse subjects which have direct relevance in tackling corruption shall be taken up for discussion during the Conference. To facilitate meaningful discussion, comprehensive presentation on professional topics such as Need for Autonomy and Standardization of State ACBs, United Nations Convention against Corruption, investigative methods, development of human resources engaged in anti corruption work, cooperation and coordination amongst CBI, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Agencies have been included in the agenda.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we all are acutely aware of the ill-effects of corruption on our socio-political and economic well-being. We are also aware that corruption makes public policies ineffective and diverts investments and economic activities away from intended beneficiaries to the rewards of underhanded activities. However, corruption in our country has shown remarkable resilience against our efforts to banish it. It is increasingly becoming obvious that corruption cannot be tackled through law enforcement alone. We, therefore, have to bring about all-round reforms in the areas of governance, industry, trade, education, services etc. and formulate sound public policies. There is an urgent need to inculcate inescapable element of dutifullness, to establish right attitude to rules and conformity, propriety, due recognition and adherence to the rules of honest and upright behaviour in every walk of life. Conduct of people in a position of power and authority, civil servants, police officers, teachers, doctors etc. shall go a long way. In this context, it would be appropriate to recall what Dr. Amartya Sen said and I quote "Corrupt behaviour in "high places" can have effects far beyond the direct consequences of that behaviour, and the insistence on starting at the top does have reasoning behind it" un quote.
In our deliberations in this conference, we shall be focusing on comprehensive, collective and coordinated efforts to tackle all facets of corruption, difficulties faced by us in the courts of law, measures to quicken the pace of investigation and prosecution of anti-corruption cases, and preventive vigilance. We shall also focus on how to reassure the honest and diligent public servants so that they are encouraged to take quick decisions for implementing the public policies to further enhance the efficient functioning of delivery systems.
I again extend a warm welcome to His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam.
Thank You, Sir.
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