<p>“While considerable progress was achieved in evolving a consensus on many issues, a few important issues remain on which there is a divergence in our views and those of the nominees of Anna Hazare,” he said referring to the proposed Lokpal Bill while addressing an all-party meeting here.<br /><br />Underlining the differences of the government with the civil society group led by Hazare, the prime minister said: “The Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws and it has to function within the framework of the basic structure of our Constitution.”<br /><br />Pointing out that the Constitution provides for an “intricate system of checks and balances”, Singh said the new institution of Lokpal has to find an appropriate place in that matrix.<br />Admitting corruption “is a big issue today”, the prime minister said the country has a number of laws, like the Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Central Vigilance Commission Act, Right to Information Act etc., which provide for stringent action against delinquents.<br /><br />“However, there is a feeling that the institutional arrangements in place are not strong enough to ensure that the guilty, especially those occupying high positions, are brought to book swiftly and given deterrent punishment,” he said in his opening remarks.<br /><br />Affirming the government’s commitment to enact the Lokpal Act that will provide an effective and quick institutional arrangement for tackling corruption at higher places, and bring the bill before Parliament in the coming session, the PM stressed that it should have the support of a large section of people with “widest possible consensus.”<br /></p>
<p>“While considerable progress was achieved in evolving a consensus on many issues, a few important issues remain on which there is a divergence in our views and those of the nominees of Anna Hazare,” he said referring to the proposed Lokpal Bill while addressing an all-party meeting here.<br /><br />Underlining the differences of the government with the civil society group led by Hazare, the prime minister said: “The Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws and it has to function within the framework of the basic structure of our Constitution.”<br /><br />Pointing out that the Constitution provides for an “intricate system of checks and balances”, Singh said the new institution of Lokpal has to find an appropriate place in that matrix.<br />Admitting corruption “is a big issue today”, the prime minister said the country has a number of laws, like the Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Central Vigilance Commission Act, Right to Information Act etc., which provide for stringent action against delinquents.<br /><br />“However, there is a feeling that the institutional arrangements in place are not strong enough to ensure that the guilty, especially those occupying high positions, are brought to book swiftly and given deterrent punishment,” he said in his opening remarks.<br /><br />Affirming the government’s commitment to enact the Lokpal Act that will provide an effective and quick institutional arrangement for tackling corruption at higher places, and bring the bill before Parliament in the coming session, the PM stressed that it should have the support of a large section of people with “widest possible consensus.”<br /></p>
