<p>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday dismissed the Opposition contention that the proposed Bill to set up the anti-graft ombudsman would infringe on states’ right to enact Lokayuktas, saying that federalism cannot be an impediment in the “war against corruption”.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Intervening in the debate on the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 in Lok Sabha, Singh underlined that the “real problem” lies in the domain of state governments where the aam aadmi feels the pinch of “petty corruption” on a daily basis. “It is here that the bane of corruption needs to be combated,” he said.<br /><br />He urged the Opposition members not to use “legal sophistry” to argue that state legislatures must not adopt the model law proposed, or delay its enforcement. “Water, electricity, municipal services, land records, policing, transport, ration shops are but a few examples of essential services provided by state and local authorities that affect the life of the aam aadmi. Setting up of Lokayuktas in states will go a long way in addressing the sense of frustration that is reflected in the anger that we see around us,” he said.<br /><br />The prime minister reminded the Opposition that the Bill lived up to the promise that members of Lok Sabha had collectively made to the people of the country by way of the ‘Sense of the House’ at the end of the debate on the proposed legislation on August 27 in the current Session.<br /><br />“Corruption is corruption whether in the Union or in the States. It has no legislative colour. All of us are party to the resolution reflecting the sense of the House in which we committed to establish Lokayuktas in the states along with the Lokpal. We would be in breach of the promise that this House made to the nation if we do not provide for the mechanism of the Lokayuktas by taking recourse to citing articles of the Constitution as impediments,” he said.<br /><br />He urged the members to rise above “partisan politics” and the let the bill pass, saying, “We must embrace a holistic approach in our fight against corruption. Our laws must be all pervasive, if we are genuine in our endeavour.”<br /><br />The prime minister also rejected the demand to bring CBI under Lokpal legislation, saying this would create an executive structure outside Parliament which would be accountable to none. “I believe that the CBI should function independently of the Lokpal. I also believe that the CBI should function independently of the government. But independence does not mean absence of accountability,” he said.<br /><br />No entity should be created inconsistent with the constitutional framework and charged with onerous executive responsibilities without any accountability. “The Bill which is now before the House contains a judicious blend of functional autonomy and accountability of the CBI,” he added, urging the members of the House to extend their support.<br /></p>
<p>Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday dismissed the Opposition contention that the proposed Bill to set up the anti-graft ombudsman would infringe on states’ right to enact Lokayuktas, saying that federalism cannot be an impediment in the “war against corruption”.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Intervening in the debate on the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 in Lok Sabha, Singh underlined that the “real problem” lies in the domain of state governments where the aam aadmi feels the pinch of “petty corruption” on a daily basis. “It is here that the bane of corruption needs to be combated,” he said.<br /><br />He urged the Opposition members not to use “legal sophistry” to argue that state legislatures must not adopt the model law proposed, or delay its enforcement. “Water, electricity, municipal services, land records, policing, transport, ration shops are but a few examples of essential services provided by state and local authorities that affect the life of the aam aadmi. Setting up of Lokayuktas in states will go a long way in addressing the sense of frustration that is reflected in the anger that we see around us,” he said.<br /><br />The prime minister reminded the Opposition that the Bill lived up to the promise that members of Lok Sabha had collectively made to the people of the country by way of the ‘Sense of the House’ at the end of the debate on the proposed legislation on August 27 in the current Session.<br /><br />“Corruption is corruption whether in the Union or in the States. It has no legislative colour. All of us are party to the resolution reflecting the sense of the House in which we committed to establish Lokayuktas in the states along with the Lokpal. We would be in breach of the promise that this House made to the nation if we do not provide for the mechanism of the Lokayuktas by taking recourse to citing articles of the Constitution as impediments,” he said.<br /><br />He urged the members to rise above “partisan politics” and the let the bill pass, saying, “We must embrace a holistic approach in our fight against corruption. Our laws must be all pervasive, if we are genuine in our endeavour.”<br /><br />The prime minister also rejected the demand to bring CBI under Lokpal legislation, saying this would create an executive structure outside Parliament which would be accountable to none. “I believe that the CBI should function independently of the Lokpal. I also believe that the CBI should function independently of the government. But independence does not mean absence of accountability,” he said.<br /><br />No entity should be created inconsistent with the constitutional framework and charged with onerous executive responsibilities without any accountability. “The Bill which is now before the House contains a judicious blend of functional autonomy and accountability of the CBI,” he added, urging the members of the House to extend their support.<br /></p>
