New Delhi:
Under assault for the expansive corruption within his government, the Prime Minister has once again reminded ministers in his cabinet to disclose their assets and liabilities and to cut themselves off from any business which include the government as a client. They've also been asked to divest themselves of all interests in businesses which depend on "licenses, permits, quotas and leases received or to be received from the government." (Read: Cabinet Secretary's letter to ministers)
The Prime Minister first issued this directive in February last year. Ministers were expected to comply by September 2010.
The pointed reminder, sent by cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar on behalf of the Prime Minister, comes at a time when a former minister A Raja is in jail for drafting the country's largest-ever scam while he was Telecom Minister. Now, Mr Raja's predecessor, Dayanidhi Maran, is also being investigated for his tenure as Telecom Minister. Mr Maran is currently Textiles Minister; like Mr Raja, he belongs to the DMK, a key partner in Dr Manmohan Singh's government.
Mr Maran has been accused of forcing the former owner of an operator named Aircel to an entrepreneur close to the Maran family. The new owner allegedly thanked Mr Maran by investing Rs 800 crore in Sun TV, which is owned by Mr Maran's brother.
Mr Maran has refuted the charges and has stressed that he does not own any shares in Sun TV.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke to reporters about the spectre of corruption that's overshadowed his government in recent months with a series of politicians and bureaucrats being exposed for financial malpractice. The charge against the Prime Minister has been that while he remains one of India's most-respected and honest politicians, he has been permissive of corruption especially among political allies like the DMK whose support is critical to the government's survival.
"The government is serious and we are concerned about corruption and blackmoney. There is no doubt. But there is no magic wand", the Prime Minister said.
But that explanation is unlikely to placate a country that's frustrated with promises of change that remain undelivered. Believing that they've been sold out by their leaders, lakhs of Indians have placed their support and trust with activists like Gandhian Anna Hazare who have launched a movement named India Against Corruption. Those activists have taken the lead in challenging the government to introduce a new law that will effective counter corruption. In April, the government agreed to let Mr Hazare and four of his nominees serve on a committee that will draft the Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill). While the bill is scheduled to be presented in parliament in the next session, the non-elected representatives and the government have differences over many of its key features - like whether the law will apply to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister first issued this directive in February last year. Ministers were expected to comply by September 2010.
The pointed reminder, sent by cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar on behalf of the Prime Minister, comes at a time when a former minister A Raja is in jail for drafting the country's largest-ever scam while he was Telecom Minister. Now, Mr Raja's predecessor, Dayanidhi Maran, is also being investigated for his tenure as Telecom Minister. Mr Maran is currently Textiles Minister; like Mr Raja, he belongs to the DMK, a key partner in Dr Manmohan Singh's government.
Mr Maran has been accused of forcing the former owner of an operator named Aircel to an entrepreneur close to the Maran family. The new owner allegedly thanked Mr Maran by investing Rs 800 crore in Sun TV, which is owned by Mr Maran's brother.
Mr Maran has refuted the charges and has stressed that he does not own any shares in Sun TV.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke to reporters about the spectre of corruption that's overshadowed his government in recent months with a series of politicians and bureaucrats being exposed for financial malpractice. The charge against the Prime Minister has been that while he remains one of India's most-respected and honest politicians, he has been permissive of corruption especially among political allies like the DMK whose support is critical to the government's survival.
"The government is serious and we are concerned about corruption and blackmoney. There is no doubt. But there is no magic wand", the Prime Minister said.
But that explanation is unlikely to placate a country that's frustrated with promises of change that remain undelivered. Believing that they've been sold out by their leaders, lakhs of Indians have placed their support and trust with activists like Gandhian Anna Hazare who have launched a movement named India Against Corruption. Those activists have taken the lead in challenging the government to introduce a new law that will effective counter corruption. In April, the government agreed to let Mr Hazare and four of his nominees serve on a committee that will draft the Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill). While the bill is scheduled to be presented in parliament in the next session, the non-elected representatives and the government have differences over many of its key features - like whether the law will apply to the Prime Minister.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
