GNS Jammu, Dec 15: Calling for structural reforms in the state’s anti corruption set up. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today said there was a pressing need for strengthening the institutions of State Accountability Commission (SAC) and Vigilance Organization.
Addressing an impressive public meeting at the centrally located Rani Park area of Jammu East assembly segment, he said the SAC should be provided with its own independent investigation wing so that corruption cases can be investigated independent of government interference. He said that the officers of proved merit and integrity be appointed in this investigation wing.
Mufti said one of the ways could be transferring the administrative control of the Vigilance Organization to the SAC so it could remain free of political influence or maneuvering. In its present form, he said, the vigilance has been reduced to a hand maiden of the political bosses and is used mostly at their whims and fancies with hardly any convictions but lot of harassment. This has resulted in a complete breakdown of accountability and administrative scrutiny which normally is associated with government departments.
Mufti said the corruption had eaten into the vitals of the state and entire system was affected by it. The anti corruption organizations are virtually defunct for quite some time and the corrupt elements in politics and administration are having a field day in absence of any curbs or checks. He said people have to pay bribe for every thing involving government and administration whether it is getting a job, fixing a contract, getting a BPL card or tackling police cases. Some times parents of young men who are picked up in false cases too are made to pay for the release of their wards. He said the problem has assumed dimensions of a systemic and moral crisis for which very bold, strong and focused initiatives will have to be taken.
Mufti said his government had established the State Accountability Commission in 2003 with the objective of curbing corruption in high places. The institution was the equivalent of the proposed Lokpal and brought even the Chief Minister of the state under its purview. Though it had started well but unfortunately the present government made it completely defunct for more than two years and in the process the commission suffered a credibility crisis. Normally, he said all laws after being enacted are gradually honed and upgraded in the light of experience and changing requirements but the process remained stagnated here and the government felt comfortable in absence of a vibrant anti corruption institution as the SAC has been made almost redundant.
Referring to the present campaign against corruption all over the country Mufti said that it was unfortunate that its impact was not being felt in the state and vested interest continues to fatten itself on public resources and money from all sections of people mostly the lowest rungs of the society who have to pay virtually for every government service. He said in the light of the experience within the state and the new inputs that are coming into the corruption debate it is necessary that the SAC is further strengthened and provided with the wherewithal to investigate corruption cases without dependence on government controlled institutions.
Coming down heavily on state government for adopting discriminatory policies in disbursement of development funds, former Chief Minister demanded a probe into distribution of funds during the last three years in the state. He regretted that instead of implementing decisions taken in the meetings of the District Development Board (DDBs), the government has been distributing funds in arbitrary manner which is a glaring example of injustice with the areas represented by the members of opposition parties.
Former Chief Minister while pointing towards various developmental projects started during his tenure, he reminded that it was during his regime that widening of roads in Srinagar and Jammu cities were done. He further highlighted various projects started and completed during that tenure.
Calling upon the resident of Jammu city to come forward to join PDP, he said that aim of his party was to change the system to provide justice and equality to all sections of the society. “I donot believe in self praising but during our tenure we had carved out a path of equitable and balanced development in the state”, he said and reminded that PDP led regime has brought complete transparency and accountability in the government as well as in the administration.
The public meeting was organized by Ved Mahajan with the collaboration of Jammu East unit of the party.
Former Minister Rangil Singh, Thakur Balbir Singh, Ved Mahajan, Daman Bhasin, Choudhary Zulfikar, MLA Darhal, Abdul Haq MLA, Shanti Devi, Nizamudin Khatana, Hussain Ali Wafa, Falail Singh, R K Bali, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Surjeet Kour, Deepinder Kour, Capt Anil Gour, Susheela Jamwal, Romil Jaggi, Sohit Sharma, Narinder Singh, Rashid Malik, Rafiq Malik, Avtar Singh Khalsa, Mohinder Kotwal, Chaman Angral, Vikram, Vimal Sharma, Deepu Chib, Atul Gupta, H R Chargotra, Anju Bhan, Vikram Jamwal, Pankaj Gupta, Vivek Khajuria, Girish Sharma, Sachin Sharma, Soni, S Peter, Nakadamum alias Pappu and others addressed the meeting.
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