No proposal for separate cells to probe graft charges against politicians, says government

NEW DELHI: Government today said it has not received any proposal for setting up separate cells to investigate corruption charges against politicians and high- profile personalities.

"There is no proposal with the government for setting up separate cells to investigate corruption charges levelled against politicians and other high profile personalities," Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, V Narayanasamy told Lok Sabha in a written reply.

Government takes all efforts to strengthen its anti- corruption laws and other mechanisms from time to time so as to ensure that the corrupt, irrespective of their status, are punished effectively and expeditiously, he said.

"In pursuance of government's efforts to constitute a mechanism for dealing with complaints against public functionaries including in high places, the government has introduced the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 in the Parliament," the Minister said.

The legal framework for combating corruption in the country is contained in the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. "The Act does not differentiate between different levels of public functionaries and applies equally to all categories of public servants," Narayanasamy said.