Pranab Mukherjee welcomes PM's move for lawmakers to declare their assets

New Delhi, Feb 4 (ANI): Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has lauded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh writing of letters to all lawmakers, central as well as state, and asking them to declare their assets and allied capital holdings.

He expressed his note of appreciation while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function to mark the release of a book, 'Pranab Mukherjee, The All Seasons Man', here on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that ministers should not involve themselves in the corporate affairs, since clashes of interest may occur on account of government norms and licensees.

Commenting on these aspects, Mukherjee observed that this move by Manmohan Singh is a logical step and a routine practice.

"This is a normal practice, that is, whenever you are to give a statement of your assets and liabilities. Annually this statement is to be given to the Prime Minister, to the Speaker and our party has also introduced this system as we give the statement to the party President. Therefore every interest has to be given," Mukherjee said.

This latest step by Manmohan Singh is an initiative to ensure honesty in public life by political leaders and could be viewed with an aim to ward off corruption in the high offices and corridors of power. (ANI)