Mechanism for Whistle Blowing

SAfeguArdS & reAch


         A tool to good corporAte
                      governAnce




                                    1
“Corporate governance is…

…the application of
best management practices,
compliance of law in letter and spirit and
adherence to ethical standards
for effective management and distribution of wealth and
discharge of social responsibility for sustainable
development of all stakeholders”

                   Institute of Company Secretaries of India


                                                          2
Corporate Governance -
                     The basic Framework
   Wealth Creation         Wealth Management                      Wealth Sharing



                                       ?
                                                  Distribu-
                                                       tion        Happiness and
      Output – Input                                               Prosperity of all
     = Wealth Created                                               Stakeholders

                                                              SUPPLIERS
                                                               Adequate Returns
                        Reinvestment                          HUMAN ASSETS
Enhanced
Capabilities                                                   Adequate
                                                               Remuneration
                                                              CUSTOMERS
                                 Sustainability                Affordable Prices
                                                              PUBLIC
                           Research and                       Payment of Taxes and
                                                              Partnership in National
                             Development                      Development Projects
                           HR Development
                           Infrastructure
                           Risk Management


   Best Management Practices are Vital Here                    Law and Ethics are
                                                                   Vital Here
                                                                                        3
Corporate Governance Value Chain



                          The
                      STakeholderS




“ Corporate Governance is not related to investors only,
     though they are most important Beneficiary.”
                                                           4
The Stakeholders’ Value Chain

                             ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS
      Supply Funds,             Value Addition and             Give Opportunity to
      Materials and             Management of                  Co. to Satisfy their
      Services                  Resources                      Needs


         SUPPLIERS                   HUMAN
                                                                  CUSTOMERS
                                    RESOURCE

      Adequate Returns for      Adequate Salary and            Best Quality Products
      Funds, Material and       Security for leading a         and Customer Care at
      Services Supplied         Happy Life                     Minimum Prices


                        EXPECTATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS


Potential Suppliers, Human                               Biological, Economic and
Resources and Customers               PUBLIC             Cultural Environment

      PUBLIC EXPECTS PARTNERHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


                                                                                       5
An indispensible ingredient of ensuring
Good Corporate Governance in Spirits



   WhiSTle BloWing
      The Internal Regulator

                                          6
Whistle Blowing … the key concerns
• Reporting and investigation of allegations of suspected
  improper activities/unethical practices by a Whistle
  Blower.

• A whistle-blower is a member or former member of an
  organization and not an outsider.

• The information revealed is non-public and not already
  known.

• The information concerns significant misconduct by the
  organization or some of its members.
                                                              7
                                                      Cont…
Whistle Blowing … the key concerns
• The information is revealed outside the normal channels of
  corporate communication with the organization, to a
  designated Independent person .

• The information is revealed voluntarily and not by a legal
  mandate.

• The information is revealed as a moral act or protest in order
  to correct some perceived wrong.

• Maintaining confidentiality in identity of Whistle Blower and
  his security are the key areas of concern and encouragement.
Area of Whistle Blowing
Whistleblowers may make their allegations




                                            9
Area of Whistle Blowing
   The Subjects of Concern
Focal Areas for a person before whistle Blowing?

1. Is the situation of sufficient moral importance to justify whistle-blowing?

2. Do you have all the facts and do you properly understand their significance?

3. Have all internal channels and steps short of whistle-blowing been exhausted?

4. What is the best way to blow the whistle?

5. What is my responsibility in view of my role within the organization?

6. What are the chances for success?




                                                                                  11
Legal Provisions governing Whistle Blower in
                       India
The law that a government enacts to protect such persons who
help expose corruption is called a whistleblower protection
law.



At present India Statues does not make the Establishment of
Whistle Blower Mechanism Mandatory nor is there any law
for protection of whistleblowers in India.
                                                              12
Initiatives towards Whistle Blowing
Reference of Whistle Blower in
       Indian Statues
Committees recommending Whistle Blowing as an
       element of Corporate Governance

  Committee                                            Year

  Confederation of Indian Industry code on corporate   1998
  governance

  Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee                       1999

  Naresh Chandra Committee                             2002

  N. R Narayana Murthy                                 2003



                                                              15
What does the Listing Agreement provides for
               Whistle Blowing?

• Provides for establishment of mechanism of whistle blowing

• Adequate safeguards to be established

• Proper communication of mechanism

• Power of audit committee to ensure proper functioning



                                                               16
RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHISTLE BLOWER BY
             THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
               VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES
                       2009

• Institution of a mechanism for employees

• Establishment of adequate safeguards against victimization of
  employees

• Direct access to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee




                                                              17
Do other countries have similar laws to protect whistle
                          blowers?

     Several Countries have initiated towards or are initiating towards
     WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION LAW. The Level of Whistle Blower
     Protection however, differ from Country to Country.



     Some of the Countries which have formulated such law are:-
•    US
•    UK
•    Norway

                                                                     18
Instrument of effecting Whistle
          Blowing

   An effective Whistle
      Blower Policy




                                  19
The Aims of the Policy
•   To raise confidence of Stakeholder.

•   To pluck the in ethical/improper practices misconduct,


•   To lay proper mechanism of systems



•   To establish confidentiality/security maintenance system




                                                               20
Whistle Blowing in India Inc.




                                21
Components of an effective whistle-blowing policy
Providing confidence to person to blow the
                                whistle

             Mechanism to aid anonymous reporting - email,
                         telephone numbers.
Procedural
             Independent Ombudsman or Chairman of Audit
Aspects of      Committee for handling such information

Whistle      Whistle Blower need not inform the supervisors

Blowing        Ensuring confidentiality and security of the
                             Whistle Blower

                   Specifying specific flow of work to
                   Audit teams –internal and external


                  Review and affirmation of process by
                        Board/Audit Committee

                                                              23
How to encourage Whistle Blowing

• Management addressing to organization to provide confidence

• Ensuring confidentiality of Whistle Blower by Providing
  anonymous Telephone facility for communication or e-mail ID.
• Providing Security of the whistle blower.

• Management positive participation.




                                                             24
Risks involved in the process




                                25
Some of the Biggest Corporate Collapse




                 The fate of millions to stakeholders
                 could have been protected if the
                 Whistle Blower was effective…
                                                        27
Whistle Blower…

The Actual Reward!!!




                       28
The Satyendra Dubey Fate …
 (2003)

The National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) engineer Satyendra Dubey
was killed after he wrote a letter to the
office of then PM A B Vajpayee
detailing corruption in the construction
of highways.




                                            29
History Repeated in the Manjunath Shanmugham
                Incident (2005)
                    Manjunath Shanmugham, an IIM

                    graduate and a sales manager of

                    the IOC, was murdered on Nov 19,

                    2005 for exposing the racket of

                    adulteration of petrol and the

                    mafia behind it.



                                                       30
Other Setbacks to Whistle Blowing
The Jayaraman,           The Bombay Stock
Incident…                Exchange Scandal…
(2008)                   (2001)

The    mark     sheet
forgery racket in
Pondicherry
University was found
murdered on May 20,
2008.


                                             31
Whistle Blowing -
                                 The missing links
•   Ineffective mechanism
•   Failure to Impart Proper confidence
•   Lack of Independent ombudsmen
•   Non maintainability of whistle blower confidentiality
•   Ineffective Security of whistle blower
•   Improper Inquiry and investigation procedure
•   Inappropriate punishment
•   The Fear of Isolation




                                                            32
Recommendations

•   Whistleblower policy be made mandatory, with clear cut guidelines
    for prosecuting intimidation of or retaliation against the complainant
•   Inclusion of other stakeholders, such as vendors, shareholders and
    customers, in the list of eligible complainants
•   Strict assurance on maintenance of confidentiality
•   Fast and Time bound disposal of cases
•   Imposition of fines/ penalties for frivolous or mischievous complaints




                                                                         33
Our services


                               Thank You
•Investment Banking


•Corporate Restructuring


•Forex & Overseas
Transaction
                                                    Pavan Kumar Vijay
                                                     Managing Director
•Stock Exchange Services
                                 Corporate Professionals (India) Pvt. Ltd.
                                                     D – 28, South Ext- I,
•Global Business Set up
                                                     New Delhi 1100049
• Securities law and capital                      Tel: +91.11.40622200,
market advisory                                   Fax: +91.11.40622201
•Corporate Compliance &                        Email: info@indiacp.com
Due Diligence

•Corporate Finance                                          Visit us at:
                                       www.corporateprofessionals.com
•Corporate Taxation
                                                                       34

Mechanism for Whistle Blowing: Safeguards and Reach

  • 1.
    Mechanism for WhistleBlowing SAfeguArdS & reAch A tool to good corporAte governAnce 1
  • 2.
    “Corporate governance is… …theapplication of best management practices, compliance of law in letter and spirit and adherence to ethical standards for effective management and distribution of wealth and discharge of social responsibility for sustainable development of all stakeholders” Institute of Company Secretaries of India 2
  • 3.
    Corporate Governance - The basic Framework Wealth Creation Wealth Management Wealth Sharing ? Distribu- tion Happiness and Output – Input Prosperity of all = Wealth Created Stakeholders SUPPLIERS Adequate Returns Reinvestment HUMAN ASSETS Enhanced Capabilities Adequate Remuneration CUSTOMERS Sustainability Affordable Prices PUBLIC Research and Payment of Taxes and Partnership in National Development Development Projects HR Development Infrastructure Risk Management Best Management Practices are Vital Here Law and Ethics are Vital Here 3
  • 4.
    Corporate Governance ValueChain The STakeholderS “ Corporate Governance is not related to investors only, though they are most important Beneficiary.” 4
  • 5.
    The Stakeholders’ ValueChain ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS Supply Funds, Value Addition and Give Opportunity to Materials and Management of Co. to Satisfy their Services Resources Needs SUPPLIERS HUMAN CUSTOMERS RESOURCE Adequate Returns for Adequate Salary and Best Quality Products Funds, Material and Security for leading a and Customer Care at Services Supplied Happy Life Minimum Prices EXPECTATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS Potential Suppliers, Human Biological, Economic and Resources and Customers PUBLIC Cultural Environment PUBLIC EXPECTS PARTNERHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 5
  • 6.
    An indispensible ingredientof ensuring Good Corporate Governance in Spirits WhiSTle BloWing The Internal Regulator 6
  • 7.
    Whistle Blowing …the key concerns • Reporting and investigation of allegations of suspected improper activities/unethical practices by a Whistle Blower. • A whistle-blower is a member or former member of an organization and not an outsider. • The information revealed is non-public and not already known. • The information concerns significant misconduct by the organization or some of its members. 7 Cont…
  • 8.
    Whistle Blowing …the key concerns • The information is revealed outside the normal channels of corporate communication with the organization, to a designated Independent person . • The information is revealed voluntarily and not by a legal mandate. • The information is revealed as a moral act or protest in order to correct some perceived wrong. • Maintaining confidentiality in identity of Whistle Blower and his security are the key areas of concern and encouragement.
  • 9.
    Area of WhistleBlowing Whistleblowers may make their allegations 9
  • 10.
    Area of WhistleBlowing The Subjects of Concern
  • 11.
    Focal Areas fora person before whistle Blowing? 1. Is the situation of sufficient moral importance to justify whistle-blowing? 2. Do you have all the facts and do you properly understand their significance? 3. Have all internal channels and steps short of whistle-blowing been exhausted? 4. What is the best way to blow the whistle? 5. What is my responsibility in view of my role within the organization? 6. What are the chances for success? 11
  • 12.
    Legal Provisions governingWhistle Blower in India The law that a government enacts to protect such persons who help expose corruption is called a whistleblower protection law. At present India Statues does not make the Establishment of Whistle Blower Mechanism Mandatory nor is there any law for protection of whistleblowers in India. 12
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Reference of WhistleBlower in Indian Statues
  • 15.
    Committees recommending WhistleBlowing as an element of Corporate Governance Committee Year Confederation of Indian Industry code on corporate 1998 governance Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee 1999 Naresh Chandra Committee 2002 N. R Narayana Murthy 2003 15
  • 16.
    What does theListing Agreement provides for Whistle Blowing? • Provides for establishment of mechanism of whistle blowing • Adequate safeguards to be established • Proper communication of mechanism • Power of audit committee to ensure proper functioning 16
  • 17.
    RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHISTLEBLOWER BY THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES 2009 • Institution of a mechanism for employees • Establishment of adequate safeguards against victimization of employees • Direct access to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee 17
  • 18.
    Do other countrieshave similar laws to protect whistle blowers? Several Countries have initiated towards or are initiating towards WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION LAW. The Level of Whistle Blower Protection however, differ from Country to Country. Some of the Countries which have formulated such law are:- • US • UK • Norway 18
  • 19.
    Instrument of effectingWhistle Blowing An effective Whistle Blower Policy 19
  • 20.
    The Aims ofthe Policy • To raise confidence of Stakeholder. • To pluck the in ethical/improper practices misconduct, • To lay proper mechanism of systems • To establish confidentiality/security maintenance system 20
  • 21.
    Whistle Blowing inIndia Inc. 21
  • 22.
    Components of aneffective whistle-blowing policy
  • 23.
    Providing confidence toperson to blow the whistle Mechanism to aid anonymous reporting - email, telephone numbers. Procedural Independent Ombudsman or Chairman of Audit Aspects of Committee for handling such information Whistle Whistle Blower need not inform the supervisors Blowing Ensuring confidentiality and security of the Whistle Blower Specifying specific flow of work to Audit teams –internal and external Review and affirmation of process by Board/Audit Committee 23
  • 24.
    How to encourageWhistle Blowing • Management addressing to organization to provide confidence • Ensuring confidentiality of Whistle Blower by Providing anonymous Telephone facility for communication or e-mail ID. • Providing Security of the whistle blower. • Management positive participation. 24
  • 25.
    Risks involved inthe process 25
  • 27.
    Some of theBiggest Corporate Collapse The fate of millions to stakeholders could have been protected if the Whistle Blower was effective… 27
  • 28.
  • 29.
    The Satyendra DubeyFate … (2003) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engineer Satyendra Dubey was killed after he wrote a letter to the office of then PM A B Vajpayee detailing corruption in the construction of highways. 29
  • 30.
    History Repeated inthe Manjunath Shanmugham Incident (2005) Manjunath Shanmugham, an IIM graduate and a sales manager of the IOC, was murdered on Nov 19, 2005 for exposing the racket of adulteration of petrol and the mafia behind it. 30
  • 31.
    Other Setbacks toWhistle Blowing The Jayaraman, The Bombay Stock Incident… Exchange Scandal… (2008) (2001) The mark sheet forgery racket in Pondicherry University was found murdered on May 20, 2008. 31
  • 32.
    Whistle Blowing - The missing links • Ineffective mechanism • Failure to Impart Proper confidence • Lack of Independent ombudsmen • Non maintainability of whistle blower confidentiality • Ineffective Security of whistle blower • Improper Inquiry and investigation procedure • Inappropriate punishment • The Fear of Isolation 32
  • 33.
    Recommendations • Whistleblower policy be made mandatory, with clear cut guidelines for prosecuting intimidation of or retaliation against the complainant • Inclusion of other stakeholders, such as vendors, shareholders and customers, in the list of eligible complainants • Strict assurance on maintenance of confidentiality • Fast and Time bound disposal of cases • Imposition of fines/ penalties for frivolous or mischievous complaints 33
  • 34.
    Our services Thank You •Investment Banking •Corporate Restructuring •Forex & Overseas Transaction Pavan Kumar Vijay Managing Director •Stock Exchange Services Corporate Professionals (India) Pvt. Ltd. D – 28, South Ext- I, •Global Business Set up New Delhi 1100049 • Securities law and capital Tel: +91.11.40622200, market advisory Fax: +91.11.40622201 •Corporate Compliance & Email: info@indiacp.com Due Diligence •Corporate Finance Visit us at: www.corporateprofessionals.com •Corporate Taxation 34