New Delhi, Aug 26 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday presented president's medals to 20 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers for their 'distinguished' services and asked the agency to 'introspect' and critically analyse its 'functioning'.

Congratulating the medal winning officers for their 'splendid achievement', Manmohan Singh urged the CBI to do its 'utmost to live up to the expectations' of the people.

'There have been occasions in the recent past when the conduct of the bureau has come in for severe public criticism. I would like the CBI to have a critical look at itself and introspect deeply with an end to further improve its functioning,' he said before giving the awards at Vigyan Bhavan here.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day 17th biennial conference of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and State Anti-Corruption Bureaux.

'I must also emphasise the need for the right balance which all of you (CBI officers) need to strike in our anti-corruption efforts. It is as much your duty to protect the honest and the efficient as it is to prosecute the venal and the corrupt,' the prime minister said.