In the decade since the launch of United Nations Global Compact in India, an initiative to mobilise the private sector against corruption, only 81 public sector and private companies from India have become members of the country chapter. More importantly, among the prominent names missing in the list are India’s petroleum giant Reliance and topmost telecom group Airtel.

Some of those who have joined the campaign are: seven Tata Group companies, ITC, ONGC, Petronet LNG, Jindal group, Siemens, BMW, Suzuki, and Mercedes Benz. While there are 54 public sector units enrolled with Global Compact Local Network, India, only 18 private companies are part of it.

“The UN body has never been driven by enrolment of companies. We are driven by enrolment of companies which are reputable, positive public perception and contributing to the growth and development of economy. We never wanted to enroll those companies, which were dubious in nature,” said Pooran Pandey, executive director of Global Compact Local Network India, as the UN launched a year-long campaign globally on Tuesday for the private sector to fight corruption.

“Once a company becomes member of the UN group, then it becomes an open book, where anybody can come and asks for the annual report and money spent on any project,” added Pandey.

The aim of the campaign is to engage business groups to refuse corrupt practices and urge governments to promote anti-corruption measures.

“Corruption distorts markets, undermines development and makes business unsustainable. It is time for businesses to showcase their commitment to bring this critical global challenge into the centre of global development debates,” said Olajobi Makinwa, head of transparency and anti-corruption initiatives for the UN Global Compact.

The Global Compact will feature a complete list of companies and other organisations which have signed onto the Call to Action at its triennial Leaders Summit in September 2013.

Globally UN Global Compact was launched in 2000.