New Delhi:
As his government battles charges of endemic graft, the Prime Minister today stressed that "While we must maintain utmost vigilance in preventing corruption and do our utmost in ensuring transparency, accountability and probity, it is also important to ensure that the work of nation building goes on at a quick pace."
The Prime Minister was addressing a conference of senior CBI officers. The agency's investigation into alleged corruption in how coal fields were allocated to private firms has engulfed his government, especially because for some of the years under scrutiny, he held direct charge of the Coal Ministry. The PM did not refer directly to "Coal-Gate", but said, "It is disturbing that ongoing investigations are part of running media debate. Confidentiality is vital."
The opposition has been demanding the PM's resignation because it alleges that he must be held accountable for how and why coal blocks were given to ineligible firms without a transparent bidding process.
"Investigation into cases of policy making and administration should be done with great care," Dr Manmohan Singh said. "Error of judgement must be distinguished from criminal misconduct."
Dr Singh also assured the conference that, "some questions have come up recently about the legality of the CBI. Our Government will look into this seriously and promptly."
Last week, the Guahati High Court ruled that the CBI is unconstitutional because the resolution under which the agency was created in 1964 is not legal. That verdict has been stayed by the Supreme Court which is now hearing the case.