With the Government facing series of corruption allegations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday said that amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act are being examined in order to bring it in line with international practice.
He said unambiguous definition for the term “corruption”, covering both the supply and demand sides, is being sought to be provided.
“Consensual bribery and corporate failure to prevent bribery as a new offence would be taken care of in the proposed amendments under consideration,” he said while addressing the 19th conference of CBI and State Anti Corruption Bureaux-2012.
With the increasing pace of economic development, the country is facing more complex issues of corruption, Singh said.
“The nature of the challenges that our country’s anti-corruption agencies face varies with the level of economic development. These challenges get even more complicated if the pace of it is rapid, as it has been in our country in the last two decades or so,” he added.
Singh also added that investigation agencies need to continuously upgrade their skills and techniques to match the newer methods being adopted for corrupt activities.
The atmosphere of negativity and pessimism that is sought to be created over the issue of corruption can do the country no good, he pointed out.
“It can only damage our nation’s image and hit at the morale of the executive… While reiterating our Government’s commitment to fighting the menace of corruption in every possible way, I would like to stress upon the need to protect honest public servants and keep the morale of the executive intact,” Singh said.
Keywords: Government, corruption allegations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act, being examined, international practice
Comments:
Just as fanaticism corruption needs time and attitudinal change. Both cannot be the watch words of any political party.....they are too negative and personal to be removed by any party! they can be removed by people, leaders and educators by chqanging the mind set of people
Please Stop Prime Minister of India to speak anything to News Media or Public Meeting or appearance as he lost credibility be it in any form. Look at the World what they are reading us.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_scandals_in_India
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_India
Dr. Singh is absolutely right! We should not be negative about corruption but take it in our stride! Much like we deal with bad weather or a grumpy boss. Won't we indulge in corruption ourselves if we get a chance? So why complain about corrupt leaders or politicians? In fact, in the 'proposed amendments under consideration', we should severely restrict the definition of corruption so that our executive is not demoralized by what constitute their day-to-day actions! Consensual bribery should be legalized and should not be considered as a corrupt practice at all!
Wah Wah Dr. Singh! India has not had a PM like you for several decades! You make all Indians proud by removing the blot of being corrupt! No wonder Anna had to retire from public activities and Kejriwal has been shown the middle finger. We, as a nation, are now no longer 'negative' about corruption!
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