New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said corruption would have no place in the central government and the institution of Lokpal is important to check graft.
Addressing a joint session of both houses of parliament, he said the government was committed to provide a clean and efficient administration focussed on delivery.
“The institution of Lokpal is important to curb corruption and my government will endeavour to formulate rules in conformity with the act,” Mukherjee said.
The bill for formation of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal was passed by parliament during the rule of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Mukherjee said: “The government would take steps to build the confidence and morale of our bureaucracy, enabling it with the freedom to work, and welcoming innovative ideas.”
“The government will stress on putting in place transparent systems and time bound delivery of government services. Government systems and processes will be revisited to make them citizen friendly, corruption free and accountable,” he said.
The president also said efforts would be made to eliminate obsolete laws, regulations, administrative structures and practices.
“My government is determined to rid the country of the scourge of corruption and the menace of black money. As a first step in this direction, the government has already constituted a SIT to unearth black money stashed abroad. This will be followed up vigorously by pro-actively engaging with foreign governments,” he added.
Corruption was one of the major issues taken up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the previous Congress-led UPA government.