NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 -- Preventing corrupt practices means putting in place a slew of measures.

At a time when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly registered FIRs against some 52 officials of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), for alleged criminal conspiracy as well as corruption, it is noteworthy that the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Mr Piyush Goyal, too has urged FCI to adopt a policy of zero tolerance on corruption and also institutionalise a mechanism to reward whistle-blowers.

Set up in 1964, the mandate for FCI is to ensure food security for the citizens, efficiently procure food grains at minimum support price, besides maintain buffer stocks and arrange for its distribution....