CORRUPTION

In 19% of cases, civil servants caught accepting bribes were left uninvestigated, with another 41 % of investigations opened but not concluded, according to a World Bank statement issued Friday. The statement added that Egypt’s problem in fighting corruption is not the lack of regulations needed to crack down on corruption but that the country failed to enforce them, leaving civil servants rarely punished. Corruption has a negative impact on development, creating obstacles to growth and causing particular harm to the poorest, the statement mentioned. The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index of 2014 indicated a shift in public concern, however, from public corruption to the lack of constraints on government powers, the statement added.

Thiruvananthapuram: In a setback for Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani, an FIR has been registered against him in connection with the bar bribe case. The FIR was registered on Thursday by the state's Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, after initial probe found prima facie evidence against the minister. According to VACB sources, the case against Mani, who is Kerala Congress(M) supremo, was registered on the basis of statements given by some of those questioned by investigators as part of a preliminary inquiry into the allegation that he had taken a hefty sum as bribe from bar owners for decisions favourable to them.

The Kingdom joined the rest of the world in observing International Anti-Corruption Day on Tuesday to raise awareness about the importance of making Saudi Arabia a corruption-free country. The Anti-Corruption Day is observed by the United Nations every year on Dec. 9 in order to highlight the evils of corruption and its negative impact on government systems globally.  To mark the occasion, Nazaha, Saudi national anti-corruption commission, hosted a forum under the patronage of Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. A seminar entitled “The role of medial and cultural institutions in maintaining integrity and fighting corruption” was organized by Nazaha on the sidelines of the event. In his welcome address, Mohammed Al-Sharief, Nazaha chief, said that fighting corruption is a national duty. Calling upon citizens as well as media outlets to help in the fight against corruption, he said: “The media has a significant role to bring about awareness of corruption

            Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally at Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar on Monday         Add caption   Ahead of third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exhorted voters to get rid of dynasty rule and corruption and promised to bring development to the valley. "You have seen governments by the Congress, by father and son (National Conference) and by father and daughter (Peoples Democratic Party). Get rid of this family rule and corruption. Give us an opportunity to end corruption in Kashmir," Modi said at a BJP rally in Srinagar. Wearing the 'Pheran', a traditional Kashmiri over garment, Modi said he has come to Kashmir to share the grief of the local people and wipe tears from their eyes. "I came here in July, in August, in September, in October, in November and now in December. I came in 2014 and will come in 2015 to fulfil the dream of 'In