Prez says CWG was a great success, lauds Delhiites

Declaring that the government would spare no effort in bringing back to India "what belongs to it and to bring theguilty to book, the President said the steps taken so far haveled to additional collection of taxes of Rs 34,601 crore anddetection of additional income of Rs 48,784 crore."

Detailing the steps taken by the government, she saidIndia was also working closely with the internationalcommunity especially through the G-20, to expedite the processof identification and recovery of such money.

She said India is now a member of the Financial ActionTask Force in recognition of its anti-money laundering andanti-tax evasion measures and has also gained membership ofthe Eurasian Group and the Task Force on Financial Integrityand Economic Development.

Turning to the issue of corruption in the wake of rash ofscams that have surfaced recently, she said, "Our citizensdeserve good governance. It is their entitlement and ourobligation".

"My government stands committed to improving the qualityof governance and enhancing transparency, probity andintegrity in public life," Patil said.

She said that a Group of Ministers was considering allmeasures including legislative and administrative to tacklecorruption and improve transparency.

"The group will consider issues relating to theformulation of a public procurement policy and enunciation ofpublic procurement standards and review and abolition ofdiscretionary powers enjoyed by ministers", she said.

Besides, it would also seek introduction of an open andcompetitive system of exploiting natural resources, fasttracking of cases against public servants charged withcorruption and amendments to relevant laws to facilitatequicker action against public servants, she said. (More) PTISPG MS