The Prime Minister has said that government is committed to clean up the system and there is no place for corruption in the society.
Dr. Manmohan Singh said the recent debate over corruption has served its purpose and people have been awakened to the harmful consequences of corruption which is eating into the political economic and social fabric of the society.
The Prime Minister was talking to media persons yesterday on board on his way back to New Delhi after attending the India-Brazil-South Africa, IBSA Summit.
He said, the government is working to put in place an effective Lokpal which will be an assurance to people that corruption cannot flourish as a way of life.
Dr. Singh added that the government expects Parliament to vote for an effective Lokpal Bill.
In a reply to a question on rising inflation, the Prime Minister assured that people will see some positive result by the end of this year. He said, the government is trying to bring down the inflation by using all possible measures which include instruments like monetary policy, fiscal policy and public distribution instruments.
Dr. Singh said present international environment has also not been helpful due to energy price rise and depreciating value of rupee.
He expressed confidence that a healthy growth rate of 8 to 8.5 per cent will be achieved this year despite the adversity of the international environment.
Noting that the 12th Five Year Plan has the targeted economic growth of about 9 per cent, Dr. Singh said it is difficult in the present world situation but he believed it is achievable if more emphasis is laid on development of infrastructure, health and skill development. He said India will have to work on several fronts to achieve the most important task of getting rid of chronic poverty, ignorance and disease which still afflict millions and millions of people in the country.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the trilateral summit that voiced concern over the global, economic and political turmoil. He said, IBSA countries are trying to bring synergy of interests and promoting new pathways for economic cooperation between India and Africa and India and Latin America.
Dr. Singh said trade volumes among the three nations are moving in the right direction. He said, all the three democracies are confident of reaching the target of 25 billion dollars trilateral trade by 2015.
The Prime Minister said, people to people contact and various working groups and foras will play important role in bringing the three countries more closely.
Dr Singh returned home last night.
AIR correspondent reports that during his three day visit to Pretoria, Dr. Singh held bilateral talks with South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and discussed ways to strengthen all-round ties, particularly in trade.
Addressing the plenary session, Dr. Singh cautioned that economic crisis in developed countries could affect developing nations and pressed for urgent steps by Europe and other advanced economies to prevent double-dip recession.
They also sought reforms in the global institutions of governance, including UN and financial bodies, to address current international challenges.
