Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday decried creation of “mindless atmosphere of negativity and pessimism” on the corruption issue and promised to strengthen the anti-graft law by including corporate failure to prevent bribery as a new offence besides other steps.

Corruption has become a hot issue since Singh was re-elected in 2009, and his government has been rocked by scandals over mobile phone licences, coalfields and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

"The mindless atmosphere of negativity and pessimism that is sought to be created over the issue of corruption can do us no good. It can only damage the nation's image and hit the morale of the executive,” he said.

With his government facing increasing attacks on the corruption issue from the opposition and activists, Manmohan said a clear and unambiguous definition of corruption is being sought to be provided through amendments to plug gaps in the Prevention of Corruption Act and bringing it in line with international practices.

“A clear and unambiguous definition for the term 'corruption', covering both the supply and demand sides, is being sought to be provided,” he said.

The prime minister said amendments in the Act were necessary as the experience has shown that in vast majority of cases, it is difficult to tackle consensual bribery and the supplier of the bribe goes scot-free by taking resort to provisions of the Act.