New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday indirectly hailed social activist Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement, saying the "active interest" of the people in the national debate against corruption augurs well for the country.

Addressing the National Integration Council (NIC) meet here, Singh said Indian democracy had struck deeper roots in recent years with the strengthening of local governance institutions and a more informed and active citizenry.

"The active interest displayed recently by the people in the national debate on corruption augurs well for the future of our country," he said, but did not name Hazare or his movement directly.

"Our democracy has struck deeper roots in the recent years with the strengthening of local governance institutions and a more informed and active citizenry," he added.

His remarks come against the backdrop of a 13-day fast by Hazare at Ramlila Maidan here seeking a stronger Lokpal bill in parliament.