Shortcomings and recommendations on anticorruption policies in public institutions

Though the local public authorities made certain progress in implementing anticorruption policies, there are yet shortcomings such as the lack of transparency in the public procurement process, the inefficiency of hotlines and the delayed reaction to the submitted petitions. In a news conference at IPN, Transparency International – Moldova and the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption launched the report “Monitoring the implementation of anticorruption policies in the central public authorities in 2013”, which reveals the deficiencies in the 20 central public authorities monitored and provides recommendations for improving the situation.

Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption head Galina Bostan said that the number of public authorities that created computerized petition management systems has increased. But there are also authorities that do not accept petitions online, which is inadmissible in the 21st century. The petitions are examined in an unsatisfactory way. Only six of the 20 institutions examined a complained submitted by an anonymous petitioner.

The management of hotlines is also inappropriate. Some of the public authorities do not have well trained operators for such lines. It was determined that more people contacted the hotlines after they were highlighted on the websites. However, using the ‘anonymous petitioner’ method, it was established that some of the hotlines are not functional or are not served by specialists.

One of the authors of the study Mariana Calughin said that as regards the income statements, most of the findings of the research of 2012 are relevant for last year too. The research made public on June 5 recommends instituting a common automated and secured information system that would allow submitting e-statements.

Study author Maria Ciubotaru said only 1/4 of the monitored authorities comply with the legal provisions on the management of public finances and only 1/3 of the central public authorities ensure transparency in the process of planning and managing public funds.

Ianina Spinei, another author of the research, said that 2/3 of the monitored authorities submitted personal interest statements in 2013. The National Integrity Commission started work the same year. As the Commission is not provided with sufficient financial resources, skilled personnel, technology and information resources, its capacities are low. Therefore, the results achieved in supervising the observance of the legislation in the field were rather modest. The lack of penalties for taking decisions while in a conflict of interest is another deficiency.

The research was supported financially by Soros Foundation Moldova within the Good Governance Program. click