1) The document summarizes a book launch event for a publication titled "Business Case for Anticorruption in India" held in Mumbai. 2) At the event, representatives from various sectors discussed challenges with corruption in India and examples of companies that have implemented strong anti-corruption policies and reforms. 3) A panel discussion focused on establishing principles and tools for businesses to build an economic case against corruption and apply transparency measures in their operations. The panelists emphasized the importance of tone from leadership and cross-sector collaboration to effectively address corruption.

1. Business Case for Anticorruption, Book Launch, Report Page 1
COLLECTIVE ACTION PROJECT INDIA: BOOK LAUNCH REPORT
Mayfair Banquets, Mumbai
February 6, 2015
Collective Action Project’s finale publication titled “Business Case for Anticorruption in India:
Principles, Economics and Applications of Transparency Tools” was launched by Mr. Julio
Ribeiro, retd. IPS and Chairman, Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) in a half day
event on February 06, 2015 at Mayfair Banquets, Mumbai. Around thirty representatives from
public sector, private sector, academia and civil society were present in the book launch.
This book is the third and final publication of the Collective Action Project India completing the
trilogy of books on corruption in India. The first book titled “Raising the Bar through Collective
Action”, captured the anti-graft polices practiced by companies. The second book
“Understanding the Demand and Supply Equations of Corruption and Fraud” showcased the
fraud and bribery scenario in India for a period of fifteen years along with the tools available to
counter graft. The third and the final publication “Business Case for Anticorruption in India:
Principles, Economics and Application of Transparency Tools” quantifies the gains that a
business accrues by implementing anti-graft policies in its operations. It is for the first time that
examples on a business case for anticorruption are presented by companies headquartered in an
emerging market, in this case India.
INTRODUCTORY SESSION
Ms Beroz Gazdar, Senior Vice President, Group Sustainability, Mahindra and Mahindra
welcomed the august gathering. She quoted UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on how the
money laundered could help in addressing developmental issues across the globe. She said with
the mandatory 2% of the profits of the companies required to be invested in CSR activities
(according to a recent Indian law), organizations like Global Compact Network India could
facilitate the intervention. She appealed to all the businesses headquartered in Mumbai to
become actively involved with the Global Compact Network India Western region.
Mr. Neville Gandhi, Vice President Compliance, Siemens India, spoke about Siemens’ journey
of apparently being one of the most unethical businesses to an organization which is today the
benchmark of ethical corporate governance across the globe. Siemens introduced the Integrity
Initiative, which goes beyond discussions and debates on graft. Siemens Integrity Initiative is an
attempt to create a level playing field for businesses.
Mr. J. Ribeiro, Chairman, Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT), spoke at length about
kinds of corruption in the country and the incidence of corruption on various strata of the society.
He said that big ticket corruption has been a source of election funding and no steps have been

2. Business Case for Anticorruption, Book Launch, Report Page 2
taken to counter it. He elaborated on the work of PCGT towards creating awareness among the
people on Right to Information.
Mr. Prasad Chandran, former Chairman, Social Enterprise for Ethics, Governance and
Organisation Strategies (SEEGOS) candidly presented the actual functioning of the business in
India and the modes of facilitation payment and bribery. He said that there is no dearth of laws to
deter towards committing graft but the loopholes are too many. Talking about the “Make in
India” campaign Mr. Chandran said that it is very important to weed out unnecessary approvals
and clearances which discourage businesses towards investment, especially the foreign
companies.
PANEL DISCUSSION TITLED “BUSINESS CASE FOR ANTICORRUPTION IN
INDIA: PRINCIPLES, ECONOMICS AND APPLICATION OF TRANSPARENCY
TOOLS”
The panel discussion was presided over by Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, SEEGOS. In his
opening remark he mentioned tone from the top as the most essential (mandatory) element in
tackling corruption.
Mr. Neville Gandhi said that Siemens was a classic example where the management was asked to
take the responsibility towards wrong doings of the company. When the corruption case of
Siemens came into light in 2008, the entire management was asked to resign. In 2008, Siemens
had 12 compliance officers worldwide but in 2009 the number rose to 628. Further, as a
corrective measure, Siemens did two things; identified areas of money leakages and NO cash
transaction. Technology has been the biggest enabler to counter corruption. He said “Getting
business at any cost is the mantra followed by many but not at Siemens”.
Mr. Arun Kumar Jain, Managing Director, Fluor Daniel India Private Limited said that
“compliance makes you wiser but after the damage is done”. Before compliances, it is essential
for companies to introduce risk based programs to mitigate risks in business. Companies should
communicate its ethics and compliance policies to employees, suppliers, vendor and any other
stakeholder that has interest in working with the company. As a policy Fluor seeks evidence
from its vendors on the money transfer (contract value for which Fluor had signed them) in form
of wages to their employees.
Mr. Nitin Shingala, President. Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS) said that
international conventions in the recent times have disallowed facilitation payment which was
acceptable in many developed countries such as USA. Post 9/11, G20 nations have started
playing an active role to address graft. Talking about the Indian legislative scenario, Mr.
Shingala said all forms of corruption including money laundering have been adequately
addressed in the country’s laws. However, private sector’s indulgence in corruption is a big
concern and legislations to its effect are not in place in India. He said that private sector
corruption needs to be vociferously pushed forward, for this amending the Prevention of
Corruption Act (PCA) 1988 is a must.

3. Business Case for Anticorruption, Book Launch, Report Page 3
Prof Ronald, Adjunct Professor, New York University presented the international scenario of
corruption. He said in 2014 as per the OCED report, in 41% of the registered corruption cases,
the CEOs of the companies had the knowledge about the disbursement of funds towards bribery.
USA’s FCPA had 41 signatories, the highest for any national anti-corruption law. Prof Ronald
enlisted four ways in which corruption could be address; collaboration between enforcement
authorities across the globe, incentives for local citizen groups, criminal penalties and
accountability of the top management.
Mr. Prasad Chandran concluded the panel discussion by emphasizing on the importance of tone
from the top along with the desire of all the stakeholders to ethically conduct business. He said
money is enough of a motivator to commit fraud. Talking on the judicial reforms Mr. Chandran
said that currently Indian law does not act as deterrence for parties (businesses) to commit graft.
There is an urgent need to drastically bring about reforms in the judicial system; introduce fast
track courts, heavy penalties and debarring businesses are some of the much needed changes
which have the potential to counter corruption.