Corruption undermined trust in UPA govt: Plan panel

Says various forms of corruption must be tackled by bringing transparency into the system through legislation

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, outgoing deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, has blamed the increase in petty corruption and manipulation in discretionary decision-making for the lack of trust in the United Progressive Alliance government.

Replying to caretaker Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address at the present commission’s last internal meeting, Ahluwalia said various forms of corruption must be tackled by bringing transparency into the system through legislation such as Right to Information and the Whistle-blowers Protection Act. Also, discretionary powers of officials and ministers should be reduced, Ahluwalia said.

He added natural resources such as coal and telecom spectrum should be auctioned.

The Commission’s reply was sent to Manmohan Singh just before he resigned from his post on May 16, officials said. Singh had sought a response from the Commission on the role it should play in the future, as well as on the models and ideas it had floated during its tenure.

Officials said the commission wanted steps to restore the credibility and quality of investigation into cases of corruption through institutions such as a Lok Pal. “The judicial process in corruption cases should be hastened,” the commission said. To identify lacunae in the existing set-up to combat corruption and recommend steps to address these, the commission had constituted a high-level committee comprising eminent jurists, heads of investigation agencies, etc.

On the oft-repeated argument that the Planning Commission should re-orient its role in the light of changed circumstances, officials said the Plan panel felt instead it should strive to effectively perform its existing mandate.

The Plan panel said the next Commission should maintain its focus on energy pricing issues, transport and logistics, education and skill development, health and nutrition, agriculture and rural development, and issues related to water.