No fast track’ and no magic wand: PM

Manmohan Singh listed a series of steps he said were needed to tackle corruption.

With his government under attack over a slew of corruption cases and the Anna Hazare standoff as his backdrop,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today listed a series of steps he said were needed rather than a magic wand to tackle corruption.

Delivering the 65th Independence Day address to the nation from Red Fort his eighth in a row Singh acknowledged that corruption was blocking national change and asked all political parties to stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against it.

In his 39-minute speech,Singh devoted almost 19 minutes to this subject promising a strong Lokpal but also adding in a clear reference to Annas proposed fast from tomorrow that hunger strikes dont help address the problem.

I am aware of the differences of opinion on some aspects of the (Lokpal) Bill. Those who dont agree with this Bill can put forward their views to Parliament,political parties and even the press. However,I also believe they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death, Singh said.

He said the discourse on corruption should not create an atmosphere in which the countrys progress comes under a cloud. Admitting that funds meant for public welfare end up filling the pockets of government officials,Singh said,We will have to improve our justice delivery system. Everyone should know that quick action will be taken against the corrupt and punishment meted out to them. If our system delivers justice in an effective manner,government officials would think twice before committing a wrong act out of greed or under political pressure. Singh also stressed on the need to check the governments discretionary powers in the allocation of scarce resources and streamlining the functioning of regulators.

The Prime Minister also said it wasnt appropriate to bring the judiciary under the ambit of Lokpal. We believe that any such provision would go against the independence of the judiciary.

However,we do need a framework in which the judiciary becomes more accountable. It is with this aim that we have introduced the Judicial Accountability Bill in Parliament. I am confident that this Bill will be passed soon, Singh added.

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Expressing his concern over rising prices,Singh said rising prices are as a result of global factors like high commodity and oil rates. Controlling rising prices is the primary responsibility of any government… Sometime,we have been confronted with a situation in which the reasons for rising prices lay outside the country. The prices of petroleum products,foodgrains and edible oil have risen steeply in international markets in recent times. Food inflation for the last week ended July was 9.90 per cent,while the general inflation was ruling at 9.44 per cent in June.

Our country is passing through a phase of sustained high inflation. I wish to assure you that we are continuously monitoring the situation to find out what new steps can be taken to arrest rising prices. Finding a solution to the problem will be our topmost priority in the coming months, Singh said. Particularly,the prevailing situation,both inside and outside the country,is such that if we do not act with understanding and restraint,our security and prosperity can get adversely affected, he said.

On land acquisition,the PM said: Our farmers have been especially affected by such acquisition. Land acquisition is no doubt necessary for projects of public interest. But it should take place in a transparent and fair manner. The interests of those whose livelihoods are dependent on the land being acquired should be fully protected. We will ensure that no injustice is done to anyone in the process of land acquisition.

To improve the quality of education,the Prime Minister announced the governments decision to appoint a commission to make recommendations in this regard and talked about moves to universalise secondary education.