NEW DELHI, May 24: Prime Minister I K Gujral has asked government investigating agencies not to resort to selective leakages to the media and work `silently' to maintain their credibility.

Inaugurating the chief ministers' conference here to discuss the much-debated action plan for effective and responsive government, Gujral, in an apparent reference to CBI, said such a move would avert trial by the media in ongoing cases pending before courts.

"I am against corruption and witch-hunting. People should not be prosecuted even before their cases were heard by the courts," he said.

Persons holding high offices are `punished' by the media even before cases registered against them reach the courts, the prime minister said.

Gujral said that corruption had to be tackled from the grass-root level.

Underlining the need for stepping up all round vigilance,Gujral said this was of utmost importance in the gigantic task of rooting out corruption.

In an obvious pointer towards the CBI director, Joginder Singh, Gujral said the main task of such organisations was only to investigate.Noting that economic liberalisation was being defeated by corruption, Gujral said, "You cannot have corruption and liberalisation to sleep on the same bed."

Gujral stressed that there was a need to change the mindset of politicians and bureaucrats and move away from the `feudal' approach. Asserting that the democratic system had to be further strengthened, he said "We have to provide a decentralised and responsible government.

He said time had come to present a credible picture of the government before the people. "Gradually we are slipping but something has to be done," he said adding he was deeply concerned over the frustration and dissatisfaction setting in among the people.

Referring to the action plan, Gujral said a consensus was emerging on people's right to information.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.