Unfortunate that RS couldn't pass lokpal bill: PM

In his New Year message, Manmohan Singh noted that corruption was a serious problem that needed multi-dimensional response of which lokpal and lokayuktas were an important part, but it would take time to have the effect of the initiatives. HT reports. Text of PM's message to nation | Content of bills matters, not numbers: Bedi | Cong slams BJP for casting aspersions on Ansari

It was “unfortunate” that the lokpal bill could not be passed in Rajya Sabha although the government was committed to an effective anti-corruption law, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In his New Year message, Singh said he wanted to put behind a “very difficult” year.

Acknowledging that the concern about corruption had moved to the centre stage, he vowed to personally work to provide an "honest and more efficient government".

http://www.hindustantimes.com/images/HTPopups/010112/01-01-12-pg01b.jpg

Singh noted that corruption was a serious problem that needed multi-dimensional response of which lokpal and lokayuktas were an important part, but it would take time to have the effect of the initiatives.

He said, “I want to assure you all on this New Year’s day that I personally will work to provide an honest and more efficient government, a more productive, competitive and robust economy and a more equitable and just social and political order.”

“Old forms of corruption have vanished, new forms of corruption have emerged which need to be tackled.”

And for that, the Prime Minister said new institutions, such as the lokpal and lokayuktas are important.

In the nine-page message, he, however, said the lokpal and lokayuktas were only one part of the solution.

“We also need reforms in systems of governance which would increase transparency and minimise discretion so that the scope of misgovernance is reduced.”