President points finger at governance issues

President Pranab Mukherjee today said the lack of good governance was the root cause of many serious deficiencies in society, robbing citizens of their security and rights.

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the lack of good governance was the root cause of many serious deficiencies in society, robbing citizens of their security and rights.

Delivering the 14th DP Kohli memorial lecture on the occasion of Central Bureau of Investigation’s golden jubilee celebrations, Mukherjee said growth must be inclusive and sustainable. Kohli was the founding director of the CBI.

Emphasising the need to ensure thorough investigation into allegations and speedy prosecution, Mukherjee said at the core of good governance was inviolable adherence to rule of law from which emanates the critical need for participatory decision-making structure, transparency, responsiveness, accountability, equity and inclusiveness.

He said the country was at the crossroads of transformation and could not afford to lose the momentum of change. Delivery systems need change and only good governance can provide an answer to the problem. “If what is meant for the poor does not reach them in the proportion it is meant to, then corruption and inefficiency are its two main causes.”

Referring to the gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student in December last year, Mukherjee said, “At the root of poor governance is our lethargy for change, whether it is in the implementation of schemes or adherence to values... it is time to reset our moral compass.”

Mukherjee gave the President Police Medal for distinguished Services to CBI joint director Keshav Kumar, assistant director (Interpol) NS Kharayat, SP Javed Siraj, Inspector R K Gaur, Additional SP Ravinder Singh Jaggi and Inspector Jeet Singh.