Ministers' discretionary powers to be cut: Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: A wide range of discretionary powers enjoyed by ministers in the Union government are being abolished, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday.

Mukherjee, who chaired a Group of Ministers on dealing with corruption, said that the group had submitted its recommendations which were now now being processed for implementation by the Ministry of Law and Department of Personnel and Training.

The discretionary powers of ministers that have been given up include discretionary funds at the hands some ministries like the Social Welfare Ministry, he said. Discretionary allotment of gas pumps and issue of gas coupons have already been done away with.

However, Mukherjee clarified that the quota of the Centre in medical seats for students from countries like Bhutan and Nepal and appointments of non-official directors of banks did not not fall under the discretionary powers of ministers.