| 4 years later, rules of Benami Transaction Prohibition Act yet to be framed | | Bid to cover up shady deals of politicians, bureaucrats, police officers? | | Akshay Azad
Jammu, Nov 19: In an obvious attempt to cover up shady deals and bogus investments of several noted politicians, bureaucrats and police officers of the state, the coalition Government has chosen to sleep over Benami Transaction Prohibition Act and close to four years after the legislation was passed; Government is yet to frame rules under it.
Sources informed Early Times that on March, 2, 2010, the State Legislative Assembly had passed Benami Transaction Prohibition Act-2010. "The Act was enacted by State Government in the backdrop of reports regarding huge investment by several politicians, bureaucrats and police officers in real estate on fictitious names", sources said, adding that but the same has not been implemented due to failure of General Administration Department (GAD) to frame the rules.
An official seeking anonymity said that GAD has deliberately delaying the process of framing of rules as several politicians, babus, police officers were actively involved in Benami transactions and have purchased land on fictitious names. "Giving teeth to the Act will ultimately create hurdles for this influential lobby of bureaucrats, politicians and corrupt police officers", sources said, adding that the GAD has deliberately been delaying to frame the rules.
"The Benami transaction refers to sale or purchase of a property in fictitious name, which creates hurdles for the Anti Corruption enforcement agencies to probe the corruption cases, involving officers belonging to various Government departments", sources said, adding that in some cases the babus and politicians have also purchased properties in the name of their relatives, drivers and domestic helps.
They further said that the Act was intended to curb the menace of corruption by prohibiting Benami transactions and allow the Government to take over such properties, but unfortunately the Act is yet to be implemented.
Secretary of Law department, Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that it was the duty of concerned department to frame the rules. "So far we have not received the file pertaining to framing of rules of Benami Transaction Prohibition Act-2010", he said. |
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