Transparency in public domain must to root out corruption: Lyngdoh

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh today called for transparency in public life, as it meant involvement of civil society in the works, which made corruption difficult.

Speaking at the book release function of IPS (Retd) B R Lall's 'Who Owns CBI: The Naked Truth' this evening, the former CEC pointed out society was the most effective control against corruption and transparency would be the first step towards achieving a 'corruption-free society'.

''For corruption to go local bodies need to be strengthened, which unfortunately are the most neglected besides being deprived of funds.'' In our country hardly three per cent of public expenditure goes for them while in China it was 60 per cent. Until these are strengthened power concentration would remain which would continue to breed corruption, he added.

The book's author while disclosing that his attempt at providing a peek into investigations done by CBI, specially against those in high places, was just to make readers realise how the central agency ''concealed more and exposed less''.

''The CBI was not free to function. It requires 'liberation' from the political shackles and be accountable.'' More than 60 prominent scams, since independence, have failed to make any headway or indict any big shot, he said, adding that he had written more than 20 letters, during his tenure, to his chief in CBI about as many cases which were being 'muzzled'.

''The system needs to be overhauled, more so the mindset, for corruption to be tackled,'' he added.

Vivek Garg of 'Manas Publications', publishers, said the grit and steel of the author compelled him to take the 'challenge' of getting the book see the light of the day.

UNI AN RP VV1843