Transparency, Data Security Key to Root Out Corruption: Harshita Attaluri

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Enhancing functional transparency and data security are vitally important to insulate government establishments from corruption, according to Harshita Attaluri, Managing Director of BEVCO.

Delivering the Vigilance Week Awareness lecture at BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology RGCB) here today, Attaluri said strenuous efforts are needed to keep offices totally corruption-free. Zero tolerance to corruption will also motivate the young generation to tread the path of probity, she said.

The Vigilance Week Awareness programmes are observed to encourage transparency, social commitment and responsibility, as part of the national initiative of the Central Vigilance Commission.

Officials in government should make relentless efforts to ensure transparency and probity in the functioning of the establishments. Keeping data secure and updating the websites are two key components of this process, Attaluri said.

A recent study had found that the degree of corruption afflicting the public domain ranged from 10 to 20 per cent globally. This is especially so in the case of socially and economically backward countries.

She noted that India ranked 96th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index. This is a matter of concern as the country is poised to become a big economic power with its Gross Domestic Products (GDP) making a steady surge.

Corruption can be reduced by promptly reporting cases and taking effective and speedy action on them. Citizens have a vital role in this process, she said.

Creating credible database is inevitable for increasing the efficiency of research by Research & Development institutions. Keeping data safe and secure and updating them from time to time is also important.

Attaluri distributed prizes to winners of competitions organized by RGCB as part of the Vigilance Week observation.

RGCB Scientist and Chief Vigilance Officer Dr S Manjula, Research Administration Dean and Scientist Dr S Asha Nair and Academics Dean and Scientist Dr Priya Sreenivas spoke on the occasion.