HP to confiscate corrupt babus properties

This could well be the first effect of social crusader Anna Hazares movement against corruption even Himachal Pradesh,the so-called less corrupt state,has received a wake-up call.

Nearly an hour before the state Assembly ended its budget session,Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal unfolded his plan to deal with corruption by enacting a new law to confiscate the properties that have been acquired by illegal and doubtful means. The movement started by honble Anna Hazare is really an eye-opener for all,especially the manner in which it has started receiving all-round support. It (corruption) is the biggest problem and a burning issue faced by the country. The situation has turned really alarming. Time has come for serious and honest actions,both at the central and state levels, he said.

However,the announcement was received with angry exchanges with Congress leaders accusing the BJP government of being soft towards the corruption during its three-year rule. Congress Legislature Party leader Vidya Stokes said: This is highly objectionable. There is a lot of corruption in the government and it has not done anything concrete to deal with it. PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur also joined in.

Undeterred,Dhumal went on: I have discussed the issue with the cabinet and party colleagues. During the next monsoon session,the government will introduce a bill in the Assembly to empower the government to confiscate such properties. He claimed that the current law was insufficient to deal with such issues,as only few get convicted and moreover,the families of the guilty continue to enjoy the wealth.

Recently,the state high court had summoned a number of tainted government servants,who were facing vigilance cases but have been reinstated to plum posts. During the last three years,the State Vigilance and Enforcement Bureau has set a record of sorts by seizing Rs 39 lakh from officers including the IAS,Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services,police and professionals like chief engineers.

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