PM promises "pragmatic" solution to corruption problem

New Delhi (PTI) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh on Tuesday went the extra mile to persuade yoga guru
Ramdev not to go ahead with his hunger strike from June 4,
promising him to find a "practical and pragmatic" solution to
tackle the issue of corruption.
"This is not a personal issue. We all agree with Ramdev
that corruption is a big problem and that we are committed to
tackling it with all the resources at our disposal," Singh
told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Rashtrapati
Bhavan.
The remarks by the Prime Minister came close on the
heels of a letter he had written to Ramdev "welcoming his
constructive suggestions to improve governance".
He also assurged the yoga guru that the government was
"eager to work with you and members of civil society towards
building just and prosperous India".
Informing Ramdev that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
and his officers would continue to have discussions with him
on the issues that he has raised, Singh hoped in the letter
that "you will now reverse your decision to go on a hunger
strike unto death".
"We will work with Ramdev earnestly in finding a practical
and pragmatic solution to the problem. The question is what is
possible way and what is feasible. There are laws", Singh
said.
"We hope Ramdev will recognise that we are sincere and
serious about tackling corruption," the Prime Minister said,
adding that the government has taken steps and the Finance
Minister and the officials briefed him on the steps taken on
the issue.
He said that the corruption was not a divisive issue and
hoped all concerned would cooperate in tackling the issue.
Acknowledging Ramdev's letter of May 4 expressing
his concern and suggestions on the problems of corruption and
black money, Singh said "I want to assure that our government
shares your anxiety on these issues.
"We are committed to deal with the problems of
corruption, black money in our economy and illicit funds
deposited in foreign banks".
Singh said that the Finance Minister and his officers
would continue to have discussions with him on the issues
raised by him.
"We welcome your constructive suggestions to improve
governance. We are eager to work with you and members of civil
society towards building a just and prosperous India... I hope
that you will now reverse your decision to go on a hunger
strike unto death", he added.