Indian PM backs corruption laws

Mr Singh wants to tackle corruption

The Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has said planned anti-corruption legislation should cover members of parliament and also ministers.

He said the ruling United Progressive Alliance was committed to the legislation, which would create a network of anti-corruption ombudsman.

These would be set up all over India.

Mr Singh said it was important the government was seen to be clean and transparent and there was a common code for dealing with underhand practises.

Under the legislation people would be able to take complaints about corruption to a local ombudsman who would investigate them.

The legislation has been discussed for more than three decades and Mr Singh said it was unfortunate it had not been introduced before now.