New Delhi: The government is committed to take all possible measures to stop generation of black money by putting in place legislative and administrative frameworks, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.
Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, he also said that the principle of 'Maximum Governance, Minimum Government' will guide the activities of the government.
"My government is committed to taking all possible measures to stop generation of black money, both domestically and internationally," he said.
The measures, the President said, will include putting in place a robust legislative and administrative frameworks, systems and process with due focus on capacity building, integration of information through technology and fast tracking prosecution.
India is seeking cooperation from a number of foreign jurisdictions, including Switzerland, in cases related to suspected black money.
At home, the Supreme Court-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) is looking into the black money issue and in its latest report has disclosed tracing of Rs 4,479 crore held by Indians in a Swiss bank and unaccounted wealth worth Rs 14,958 crore within India.
"While introducing stricter and sterner measures to deal with corruption," Mukherjee said efforts would be made to protect civil servants taking bona fide decisions in public interest.
Referring to the principle of 'Maximum Governance, Minimum Government' the President said the government will focus on simplification of official procedures and reduce the decision-making levels by leveraging technology.
"The system of Group of Ministers has been dispensed with and emphasis is on swift decision-making," Mukherjee said.
The 'My Gov Online Platform', he said, has ensured public participation in decision-making and better implementation of flagship programmes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Namami Gange, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and NITI Aayog.
On the vexed issues concerning the petroleum and coal sector, Mukherjee said the government is committed to optimum utilisation and transparency in allocation of natural resources.
