Chennai: Describing legislators as "watchdogs of public finance" and emphasising their role as elected representatives in efficient governance, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked them to sternly deal with corruption and inefficiency.
"Collectively, there is a need (for legislators) to deal sternly with corruption and inefficiency in the process of governance," Singh said in his address after inaugurating the imposing Rs 500 crore Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly- Secretariat complex.
He said "legislators, bestowed upon with the privilege of representing them by the people, are watchdogs of public finance and they must ensure there was no wasteful use of public money.
Singh said all this may be a tall order, but he was sure that in the new surroundings (at the Assembly) it would witness "new heights of legislative competence, commitment and propriety", with discussions being guided by the spirit of tolerance, accommodation and deep and abiding concern for the common people.
The country, especially Tamil Nadu, was on the "cusp of change," Singh said adding the time had come for a qualitative change and a quantitative "leap" forward.
"As a nation, we must strive to do things differently. We need more educated people, a more efficient economy, a more equitable society and polity. We also need creative and innovative people who don't just try to cross hurdles but know how to avoid them," he said.
Singh said the age of innovation was "upon us" and "if we do not innovate and innovate fast enough, we will be left behind by history."
Pointing out that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was a key UPA ally, Singh said the union government had "greatly benefited" from his "wisdom, knowledge, experience and
leadership".
"I have turned to him often for advice. He has been in our public life for over half a century. We are truly fortunate that we can draw on his experience and wisdom in managing the affairs of our nation," the Prime Minister said at the function also attended by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Apparently piqued by disruptions and unsavoury incidents in Parliament over Women's Reservation Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said legislatures as "sacred places" to work for the people and asked legislators to sternly deal with corruption and inefficiency.
"Legislatures are sacred places. They are places for working for the cause of our sisters and brothers who have bestowed upon us the privilege to represent them," he said.
Inaugurating the Rs 500-crore new Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly complex, Singh said legislatures were places for upholding the ideals of the Constitution "and indeed for
bringing them into action."
The Prime Minister's remarks came apparently in the backdrop of frequent disruptions of proceedings in Parliament and unruly scenes witnessed in both Houses of Parliament on the issue of the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill.
Singh said legislators appraised contemporary legislation and enacted new laws and they should not only be alert and well-informed but also be alive to the "basic concerns" of the Indian polity to discharge their responsibility effectively.
"All power has to be regarded as sacred societal trust and used for public good. Only then would our legislators be able to work effectively towards providing our people a life of dignity and self-respect,' he said.
Singh also said Tamil Nadu had marched forward under the DMK president's leadership and added the state had attained "new heights" in rural development and agrarian transformation while becoming a hub of India's automobile industry.
He recalled the contributions made by late leaders and former Chief Ministers R Rajagopalachari, K Kamaraj and C N Annadurai towards the development of the state.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said the passage of Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha could not have been possible without DMK's support.
Describing Karunanidhi as "a pillar of strength" to UPA, she said ever since the inception of the coalition, the Prime Minister and she always looked forward to his "wise counsel and advice".
The Prime Minister always contacted Karunanidhi to seek his advice on important national issues, she said, adding "we greatly appreciate his support and his wise counsel."
The function was attended by Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, B S Yeddyurappa and K Rosaiah respectively and a host of union ministers, including Home Minister P Chidambaram, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Power
Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
Though the government had invited AIADMK chief and leader of the opposition Jayalalithaa, she chose not only to stay away but also not to send a party representative to the function.
The huge complex at Omandurar Government estate is a pet project of Chief Minister Karunanidhi.
Constructed on an area over 80,000 square metres, the six storeyed Assembly complex is located in the heart of the city.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 21:13