Delays in prosecuting the corrupt is one of the biggest reasons for thriving graft in the country, apart from a nexus between the politicians and bureaucrats, according to Karnataka Lokayukta justice Santosh Hegde.

“If we have a system where a corrupt official is charged and prosecuted within six months, it will surely act as a deterrent for others,” said he, adding that politicians and bureaucrats were like "Siamese twins" at a seminar here on Thursday.

The former supreme court judge said that society had to come forward to tackle corruption. “The onus lies on the society. We all should take a vow to be away from corrupt people. We should all protest collectively against corrupt people,” he said. 

Commenting on the kind of pressures that the CBI faces, B R Lall former joint director CBI, said that any bureaucrat can easily manage to avoid prosecution and sanction. “When evidence started coming in the Hawala case, I was asked not to put it on record,” he said, “All of us are guilty of tax evasion. If we all honestly pay tax on everything we buy, there will be a huge change.”

Lall suggested withdrawing the Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes from the market as a solution to deal with corruption.

The idea was opposed by S K Dutta, former directore, CBI, who was of the view that demonitising the notes rather than withdrawing than from the market, would be of help. “Trust me, the economy will remain unaffected,” said Dutta.

He added that like the election commission of India, CBI should also be made a constitutional body.

Former central vigilance commissioner (CVC) Pratyush Sinha was also present in the seminar. About the problems in the functioning of the CVC, Sinha said that the issue was in quality and quantity of people in the CVC. “The strength of staff poses a serious problem,” said he.

The former CVC that it was time the commission the reconstitution of the commission was considered. “There are provisions in the CVC act which should be pushed in terms of frontiers and boundaries…CVC is pushing the envelope but more needs to be done,” said Sinha.

The was unanimity on the introduction of the draft Lokpal bill constituted by the civil society in consultation with Santosh Hegde and Pratyush Sinha and others.

Those present in the gathering also agreed that the government should form one uniform body which incorporates the features of various investigating agencies.