Lokpal important to curb corruption: President

New Delhi, Jun 9:

Act is important to curb

and rules will be formulated under it, Government asserted on day while promising to provide a "clean and efficient" administration.

"My government is committed to providing a clean and efficient administration focused on delivery. The institution of Lokpal is important to curb corruption and my government will endeavour to formulate rules in conformity with the Act," President Pranab Mukherjee said while outlining the Narendra Modi government's roadmap in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries. Mukherjee had given his assent to this Act on January 1 this year.

The last UPA government could not go ahead with the much-touted appointment of Lokpal due to objection raised by BJP in the selection procedure of the anti-corruption body. Mukherjee, in his address today, said government will take various measures to build confidence and morale of bureaucrats.

"My government will take steps to build the confidence and morale of our bureaucracy; enabling it with the freedom to work, and welcoming innovative ideas," he said.

There are about 4,619 officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), who are considered as backbone of government decision-making, working across the country.

Mukherjee said the government will stress on putting in place transparent systems and time-bound delivery of government services.

"Government systems and processes will be revisited to make them citizen-friendly, corruption-free and accountable. Efforts will be made to eliminate obsolete laws, regulations, administrative structures and practices," he said.

The President said rationalization and convergence among ministries, departments and other arms of the government will be ensured to have focused delivery.

"Digitization of government records will be done for improving accessibility," said Mukherjee.

He said e-governance brings empowerment, equity and efficiency and has the power to transform peoples' lives.

"The backbone of my government's new ways of working will be a Digital India. Information Technology will be used to drive re-engineering of government processes to improve service delivery and programme implementation," he said.

PTI