By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : 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 7 th 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 attacking 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 people 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.
Earlier, Azad gave away mementos, certificates and cash prizes to officials and individuals for helping the government in its war against corruption. Shyam Bijyal and Imam Din, Assistant Commissioner Development, Kathua and Ramban, respectively were given mementos and certificates while Altaf Hussain Teli, a contractor from Kulangam, Handwara and Mohammad Saleem Malla of Sangaldan, Gool received Rs. 51,000 cash award and certificate each. S. P., Ashok Kumar and Dy S. P., Ghulam Mohiuddin Andrabi of Vigilance Organisation were given CM’s Vigilance Medal for their contribution to drive against corruption.
Addressing the conference, Chief Secretary, B. R. Kundal laid stress on system change and greater involvement of people for effectively fighting corruption. He said there was need for more focus on prevention of the menace while dealing with the challenge.
Kundal said that the role of the DVOs was a challenging one as it required being bold and upright for a person to function as a whistle blower. He said the government would like to raise the level of DVOs and hoped the New Year would be more fruitful in combating corruption in the State. He hailed the idea of holding biennial conferences of DVOs and suggested that similar interactive meetings should be held at district level to create more awareness against corruption.
Earlier, State Vigilance Commissioner, Dr. Ashok Bhan in his welcome address gave a resume of the activities of his organization and said that offices of the organization would be set up at Leh, Poonch, Doda, Kupwara and Anantnag to bring in more effectiveness in its activities. He highlighted a mixture of preventive and punitive vigilance to check corruption and suggested that senior officers should be nominated as DVOs on full time basis.
Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and senior civil and police officers were present.