Describing legislators as "watchdogs of public finance" and emphasising their role as elected representatives in efficient governance, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked them to sternly deal with corruption and inefficiency.
"Collectively, there is a need (for legislators) to deal sternly with corruption and inefficiency in the process of governance," Singh said in his address after inaugurating the imposing Rs 500 crore Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly-Secretariat complex.
He said "legislators, bestowed upon with the privilege of representing them by the people, are watchdogs of public finance and they must ensure there was no wasteful use of public money.
Singh said all this may be a tall order, but he was sure that in the new surroundings (at the assembly) it would witness "new heights of legislative competence, commitment and propriety", with discussions being guided by the spirit of tolerance, accommodation and deep and abiding concern for the common people.