Manmohan Singh suggests procedures to end corruption

New Delhi, Feb 4 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said that it is necessary to fast-tracked administrative practices and procedures to tackle the problem of corruption.

Addressing the 2nd Annual Conference of Chief Secretaries of States here, Dr. Singh said: Corruption strikes at the roots of good governance. It is an impediment to faster growth. It dilutes, if not negates, our efforts at social inclusion. It dents our international image and it demeans us before our own people. This is a challenge which has to be faced frontally, boldly and quickly."

"A systemic response that reduces opportunities for corruption needs to be put in place. It is now well documented that the introduction of competition, greater choice and modern technology can cut down the opportunities for corruption in a very meaningful manner," he added.

"Delays, another major cause, can be addressed to a large extent by effective decentralization and delegation of power and responsibility," he said.

Stressing that all these issues require your wholehearted attention, Dr Singh said: "I have no doubt that if all of us work together we can bring about vast improvements in governance."

Referring to the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and set up recently to look into all measures, legal or administrative, to tackle the menace, he said two bills have already been introduced in Parliament relating to judicial accountability and the protection of whistle blowers.

Referring to probity in public life, he said serious concern has been expressed in many responsible circles about the lack of ethical conduct

"Though our major anti-poverty programmes have achieved considerable success, the quality of delivery of service has not been always as good as it could be or it should be. The deprived sections of the community have a genuine grievance that the benefits intended for them do not reach them in full measure," he added.

Referring to the internal security situation, he said it was "tense in some parts of our country".

He said there has been an unacceptably high level of violence in areas affected by Left-wing extremism and in the Kashmir Valley. (ANI)