Corruption is a phenomenon that affects civil society: Murthy

BANGALORE: Reacting to the Centre's decision of agreeing to issue a formal order to set up a committee for drafting a strong Lokpal Bill, Infosys Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murty today hailed the outcome of the protest launched by social activist Anna Hazare.

"Corruption is a phenomenon that affects the entire civil society and therefore Anna Hazare's desire that civil society plays an important role in defining the parameters for Lokpal is absolutely justified," he told PTI here.

"I think what has happened is wonderful. I am very happy that the government and Anna Hazare have quickly come to a solution, that is satisfactory to both," he said.

"I am happy that the Prime Minister and other people have agreed to his views," he said, hailing the outcome of the fast-unto-death protest, launched by the Gandhian leader and which evoked a tremendous response throughout the country.

Asked who would be his preferred choice to chair the committee, the Infosys mentor refused to name any particular person.

"J S Verma is an extraordinary individual, Anna Hazare also is an extraordinary individual... there are so many names...", he said adding, "I have no such thing (preferred choice), I have respect for all the people. As long as it is a person from civil society, is one who is respected by the entire country...," he said.

The IT icon also hailed the role of youngsters in the anti-corruption crusade. He said he received thousand plus e mails from youngsters in his own company and wherever he had gone in the last four days and met youth, the first question they were talking about was corruption and Anna Hazare galvanising people.

"So therefore I think when the youth of country shows interest in anything, we have seen it succeeds," he said.

The Infosys mentor also agreed that the issue of corruption was not just related to the public sector, the private sector also had its own issues related to corruption.

"It takes two to play the game, it takes two to clap, I don't think it is therefore only the public sector, the bureaucrats or the politicians to blame, I think businessmen are to be blamed as much," the Infosys co-founder said.

"As long as we have an visible mechanism, as long as we have mechanism whereby these complaints are quickly acted upon and as long as there is adequate punishment, I do think it (corruption) will reduce," he said.

"If we do not give bribes, nobody will take them," he said.

Infosys has set up its own measures to ensure transparency and vigilance and to ensure a fair hearing to all employees.