By IANS,
New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministers Tuesday accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of “compromising interests” of their states by putting pressure on central cadre officers and complained that the governors were acting as “political agents” of the ruling coalition.
Briefing reporters about the conclave of party chief ministers, BJP general secretary J.P. Nadda said the chief ministers complained about pressure being exerted on central service officers working in states.
“Pressure is being built on bureaucracy and interest of states are being compromised. They are being told (by the central government) that if you have to progress in career, you have to listen to us,” alleged Nadda.
He said that chief ministers told the meeting that governors were acting as “political agents of UPA”.
“Some legislations have been pending with governors for long. They are not giving assent,” Nadda said.
He said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the meeting that the state was not getting its quota of coal.
“Quota of one state is being given to the other. The objective is to see that Madhya Pradesh does not get self-sufficient in power production,” he claimed.
He said that in the session on greater accountability and eradicating corruption, party leaders talked about initiatives taken by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to bring transparency to Rajya Sabha elections and streamlining the size of ministries.
Chouhan spoke about the Public Service Guarantee Scheme being implemented in nine departments. If action is not taken on an application within 15 days, the official concerned has to pay Rs.250 per day from his pocket for the delay.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi talked about the decision of the government to seize property of officials facing corruption charges and use it for community welfare.
Asked about the stance of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and representative from Punjab on the issue of fighting corruption, Nadda said both had participated in the deliberations with full spirit and said corruption should be thoroughly eliminated.
While Yeddyurappa has faced charges of nepotism, two BJP ministers in Punjab had been summoned by Central Bureau of Investigation in a graft case.
The two-day meeting, that began Monday, is being attended by seven BJP chief ministers besides the Bihar deputy chief minister and a representative from Punjab.