Asia-Pacific

Singh accepts responsibility for resigned official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-08 14:18

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted "full responsibility" for the "error of judgment" in appointing the country's top anti-graft official who resigned after the Supreme Court quashed his appointment, according to local media Tuesday.

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"I have no hesitation in repeating what I said in Jammu (on Friday). Obviously, there was an error of judgment. I accept full responsibility for it," local media quoted the Prime Minister as saying in Parliament Monday.

The country's apex court had last week quashed the appointment of P.J. Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) as he is accused in the palm oil import scam of 1991, and also laid down guidelines for appointing anti-corruption official.

The Prime Minister added: "we accept and respect the verdict of the Supreme Court. The government will take into consideration the guidelines/directions given by the court while appointing the new CVC."