Congress refuses comment on Chidambaram’s governance remarks

NEW DELHI - The Congress Monday refused to comment on the reported remarks of Home Minister P. Chidambaram about governance and an ethical deficit, saying it was for the minister to answer questions related to his comments.

In what context have the remarks been attributed to him in answer to a query, it is better the question is put to him, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said here.

Responding to questions on the minister’s remarks, Tewari said the questions should be put to Chidambaram.

Chidambaram was quoted as saying in a newspaper interview that the government should take serious note of the concerns expressed by captains of industry about governance deficit in some areas. He said there was perhaps also an ethical deficit.

The minister was reported as saying the malaise was not unique to the United Progressive Alliance coalition and adding that the government had tried to put in place systems to meet the challenges of these deficits.

He was also quoted as saying that the systems put in place were not entirely adequate and any suggestion to improve them should be taken seriously.