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| I will continue to crack corruption this year also: Azad | | Wake up, if you were sleeping well | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Jan 11
While the opposition is coming up with case after case to prove that Jammu and Kashmir has shed its number two status in corruption and has become rather number one, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today claimed that he is committed to make the state to rank first in transparency and accountability in public life.
And for those who had considered that the corruption talk may end in the election year, the Chief Minister has offered douse for some more sleepless nights. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today made it amply known that his fight against corruption would continue with strong commitment notwithstanding the fact that the State would go through elections this year.
"Some people feel that the assembly elections being round the corner, the government might go slow on its war against corruption", Azad said while delivering his speech at the 7th Conference of Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVO) here and vehemently dispelled this view, saying his fight against the scourge would remain the core issue for his government during 2008 as well. He said he wanted to see J&K as No 1 transparent, accountable and honest State across the country.
The Chief Minister said that there was no question of going back and made it clear that crusade against corruption would remain the prime agenda of his government. He said taking on corruption in Jammu & Kashmir was one of the main reasons for him to return to the State after being in national politics for three decades. He said he wanted to contribute his bit towards the eradication of the menace in the State. He said some politicians and bureaucrats had developed apathy towards work culture and development activities as a corollary to the inertia and lethargy contracted due to the literal hibernation they were in for several years of militancy in J&K. He asserted that he was committed to change this situation and asked the vigilance organization to go whole hog against the corrupt elements. He said the status or party affiliations of individuals would be no consideration in dealing with corrupt people. He said the government had decided to replicate the central government's Right to Information Act as it had strong teeth and would help make the State government more accountable and transparent.
The Chief Minister took a serious view of reports that some departmental vigilance officers were drawing flak from their senior officers for exposing corruption in their departments and said the discouragement of these officers would be construed as tacit support to corruption. He said upright and honest whistle blowers helping the government in bringing down corruption could be awarded out of turn promotion as encouragement.
Describing the trend as extremely unfortunate and a serious concern for the society, Azad said that some corrupt officials after being caught and jailed for using corrupt practices to amass wealth try to fight elections and become people's representatives and ministers. He called for a serious and strong public opinion against such people and said that anybody so attempting to cover his misdeeds should even forfeit election deposit. "Unless such elements are taught a lesson by people, the government efforts alone will not suffice", he said.
The Chief Minister called upon all politicians and government officials in the State to rise to the occasion and deliver on the responsibilities thrown upon their shoulders by the society. He said public representatives and officers have to be extra cautious and offer an example for others to emulate. "The Caesar's wife has to be above suspicion", he invoked Shakespeare to stress on the point that best examples have to be set at the top.
The Chief Minister alluded to his agenda for prosperous J&K and said that growth and development, the two thrust areas of his government, were key for any state to prosper. He called for public support for his mission to see J&K as a developed and prosperous state. |
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