By IANS,
Shimla : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Himachal Pradesh is bringing in a new legislation to confiscate the illegally acquired property of public servants, an official said here Saturday.
“During the monsoon session (of the assembly), the government is proposing to enact a new law aimed at confiscating illegally acquired assets as a result of corrupt practices of public servants,” a government spokesperson told IANS.
The government has drafted a bill, the Himachal Pradesh Confiscation of Ill Gotten Assets Bill of 2011, and has invited comments of the general public on the proposed law.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said in the assembly April 8 that a bill to confiscate property would be brought in the next session.
Supporting the crusade of social activist Anna Hazare, who is demanding a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal bill, Dhumal said, “The movement launched by Hazare is nothing less than an eye-opener.”
“It’s (corruption) a national issue and there should be no politics over it. It’s a common problem and all the legislators should jointly fight it out,” he said.
The BJP government in the state has already come under criticism for corruption among top government functionaries.
The opposition Congress has launched a scathing attack against the government for being involved in illegal property transactions and promoting realtors.
It has questioned the government permission granted to Bemloe Development and Infrastructure Company and Optima Construction Private Limited for developing ultra-luxurious housing projects in Shimla and in Kasauli respectively.