No magic wand to eliminate corruption: PM

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Stating that there was no magic wand to eliminate corruption immediately, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said on Monday, that his government will come up with a systematic way to deal with the menace.

Addressing students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata, Dr. Singh said the government would do everything in its power to fight corruption.

“The government is serious about removing corruption. The Lokpal Bill is with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. I have invited individuals to make their concerns clear on the Lokpal Bill,” said Singh.

He further emphasized that there was a need for the introduction of strong procedures to combat corruption.

“The government is open to having a debate on amendments required in the Lokpal Bill. Strong procedures are needed to combat corruption. Restructuring government procedures and structures is of utmost importance. We need thorough reforms. The government has no problems on having a debate on the various provisions of the Lokpal Bill,” Manmohan said, adding that the government should provide a Bill that benefits the common man in the short and long term.

The Prime Minister’s statement came even as social activist Anna Hazare’s fast for an effective Jan Lokpal Bill entered its seventh day on Monday.

Addressing media, civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal, when asked if there had been any parleys between the government and Team Anna, said: “Where should we go and whom should we meet.”

“The future strategy is for the government to tell. Right now, there is nothing on the agenda. Nobody has approached us,” he added

Giving an update on Hazare’s health, he said the 74- year-old social activist had lost five kilograms as of now and that infection in his blood and urine had been traced. He added that a health check-up is being done on him.

Earlier, Hazare warned of an unprecedented revolution in the country if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed by August 30.

"If the Government does not get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed by August 30, there would be an unprecedented revolution in the country by the people.... The government will have to either get the Bill passed (in Parliament) or go," he warned on Sunday.

Noting that he has been fighting against corruption for the past 20 years, Hazare said the government has betrayed the citizens of the country on the Lokpal issue, despite constituting a joint committee for the drafting of the Bill.

"They constituted a joint committee after my fast in April. But nothing came out of that meeting despite talking for two months. They betrayed civil society.... The government's intention to fight corruption is not noble," he added.

Praising the media's role in highlighting the issue, Hazare said: “The media has driven the movement to every home and the public has risen in protest.”

He was all praise for the youth who have joined the anti-corruption movement and expressed confidence that with the youth power, the "revolution" will be able to demolish corruption through the enactment of a strong Lokpal.