PM sets 7-pt agenda to tackle corruption

Stressing on the need for aggressive pursuance of corruption cases at the highest level, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today spelt out a seven-point comprehensive strategy including reforms in the tax system - an area of high corruption.

"The anti-corruption machinery in the country should create deterrence against corruption by agressively pursuing cases of high-level corruption to their logical end. Rapid, fair, and accurate investigation of allegations of corruption against public servants at all levels should remain a priority," Singh said on the concluding day of the 16th Biennial Conference on anti-corruption of the CBI.

Commenting on the tax system, Singh said: "We must reform our tax system, make it simple and transparent and ensure moderate rates of taxation that enables widest possible compliance. This remains an area where most citizens encounter corruption."

Stressing for a comprehensive strategy to reduce the scope of corruption, Singh said: "We must recognise the need for an integrated approach to deal with corruption. Agencies like CBI can't operate in isolation."

The Prime Minister also called for a distinction between an "honest mistake" and deliberate "wrong-doing". "We need to have system that protects honest mistakes. Life is full of uncertainity, and honest mistakes are unavoidable," he said.

"We must learn to make a distinction between honest mistake and deliberate malfeasance. In dealing with a mistake, rather than a wrong doing, we should not discourage individual initiatives," the Prime Minister said.