Prez: Govt firm on tackling corruption

President Pratibha Patil on Monday outlined the government's efforts to fight corruption and check inflation while pursuing a high economic growth agenda, where the poor get a fair share of the fruits of development.

President Pratibha Patil on Monday outlined the government's efforts to fight corruption and check inflation while pursuing a high economic growth agenda, where the poor get a fair share of the fruits of development.

HT Image

In the customary address to a joint session of Parliament on the commencement of the budget session, Patil said, "Our citizens deserve good governance. It is their entitlement and our obligation (to provide it)."

Speaking in the backdrop of allegations of corruption in allocation of 2G spectrum and in the Commonwealth Games, she said a group of ministers is already considering legislative and administrative measures to tackle corruption.

Among the measures being taken by the government were reduction of discretionary powers of ministers and fast-tracking of action against corrupt bureaucrats, she said.

In addition, she said a bill to protect whistleblowers has been introduced in Parliament and the government was considering a proposal for state funding of elections.