The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman feels that the Lokpal Bill is important but not adequate to check corruption. While stating that corruption was a serious issue, Mr Montek Singh Ahulwalia, Plan panel Deputy Chairman, said “but the Bill was no magic wand either.”

Conceding that there was need for drastic changes in procedures and processes to make implementation of schemes more transparent, Mr Ahulwalia said the Approach Paper to the 12th Plan had devoted a full chapter to “Governance’.

“We want an effective and strong Lokpal Bill. Universal views are emerging. It is now the property of Parliament,” he told reporters when asked for his comments. Elaborating further on the Paper’s basic thrust on the issue, Plan panel member, Mr Arun Maira, said there was need for transparency in the distribution of natural resources, accountability of regulators and delays in courts leading to failure of rule of law.

The panel proposes that delivery functions be separated from policy-making functions in ministries, otherwise both can become ineffective. “Delivery organisations should be set up as specialised agencies with clear mandates, resources and accountabilities,” it said.

Advocating professional management of these agencies, the paper suggests while these could be accountable to ministries, they should be autonomous.

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