Manmohan Singh promises to introduce Lokpal Bill in monsoon session, says corruption chokes growth
(GOOD WISHES TO ALL THAT A GOOD,STRONG,EFFECTIVE "LOKPAL BILL" NEED TO PASS....AND MUST GET PASSED AS UPA GOVERNMENT HAS PROMISED THIS IN THEIR "ELECTION MENIFESTO" AS WELL!!!.....VIBHA TAILANG) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , who acknowledged the growing unease among citizens over the inadequacy of laws, systems and procedures to tackle the menace of corruption, has promised to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. Singh, who was inaugurating a Civil Services Day function in the Capital, said there was little public tolerance for the prevailing state of affairs.
"We must recognise that there is little public tolerance now for the prevailing state of affairs. People expect swift and exemplary action and rightly so," he said. The statement is significant as it comes in the wake of persistent attacks on the government from the Opposition and leaders of the civil society over corruption of mammoth proportions. In his address, Singh said it was no longer a mere ethical issue, but something that choked growth.
"Corruption is an impediment to faster growth and hurts the poor most. It is a challenge that we must tackle boldly and we stand committed to doing so," he said. The pressure on the Centre to accede to the UN Convention against Corruption was evident when the prime minister said the government would soon ratify the convention. This will require the government to bring domestic laws in sync with the convention. The convention criminalises trading in influence and the concealment and laundering of proceeds of corruption.
Security Situation Satisfactory
This is besides basic corruption such as bribery and embezzlement of public funds. The convention will also require the government to deal with corruption in the private sector. Singh, who also spoke on the security scenario, said though the overall security situation has been reasonably satisfactory in the past few months, there was no room for any relaxation of vigil.
"Combating Left-wing extremism, meeting terrorist challenges, countering insurgency in parts of the North-East and maintaining communal harmony and effectively dealing with atrocities on scheduled castes and scheduled tribes continue to be our top priorities."
The prime minister said there was now evidence of better cooperation and coordination between the Centre and states in fighting terrorism, and the government has drawn up an Integrated Development Programme for 60 districts affected by Left-wing extremism.
The Centre was working in partnership with states to provide employment to the tribal youth and to revamp infrastructure in remote areas and develop far-flung areas in an ecologically sustainable manner, he said, adding these efforts would go a long way in strengthening internal security. Emphasising the need to re-fashion the civil services as an effective instrument for delivery of services and agent of improved governance, he said the aim should be to evolve new and imaginative solutions for the problems facing the people.
"We must recognise that there is little public tolerance now for the prevailing state of affairs. People expect swift and exemplary action and rightly so," he said. The statement is significant as it comes in the wake of persistent attacks on the government from the Opposition and leaders of the civil society over corruption of mammoth proportions. In his address, Singh said it was no longer a mere ethical issue, but something that choked growth.
"Corruption is an impediment to faster growth and hurts the poor most. It is a challenge that we must tackle boldly and we stand committed to doing so," he said. The pressure on the Centre to accede to the UN Convention against Corruption was evident when the prime minister said the government would soon ratify the convention. This will require the government to bring domestic laws in sync with the convention. The convention criminalises trading in influence and the concealment and laundering of proceeds of corruption.
Security Situation Satisfactory
This is besides basic corruption such as bribery and embezzlement of public funds. The convention will also require the government to deal with corruption in the private sector. Singh, who also spoke on the security scenario, said though the overall security situation has been reasonably satisfactory in the past few months, there was no room for any relaxation of vigil.
"Combating Left-wing extremism, meeting terrorist challenges, countering insurgency in parts of the North-East and maintaining communal harmony and effectively dealing with atrocities on scheduled castes and scheduled tribes continue to be our top priorities."
The prime minister said there was now evidence of better cooperation and coordination between the Centre and states in fighting terrorism, and the government has drawn up an Integrated Development Programme for 60 districts affected by Left-wing extremism.
The Centre was working in partnership with states to provide employment to the tribal youth and to revamp infrastructure in remote areas and develop far-flung areas in an ecologically sustainable manner, he said, adding these efforts would go a long way in strengthening internal security. Emphasising the need to re-fashion the civil services as an effective instrument for delivery of services and agent of improved governance, he said the aim should be to evolve new and imaginative solutions for the problems facing the people.
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