‘There’s no political vendetta… we had promised to expose Badal’

Even if the corruption charges against Parkash Singh Badal are proved, is there a judicial authority which can bar him, or his family, from active politics? Rupinder Singh Guron
We had promised the people of Punjab that we would expose the blatant corruption by the Badals and by others in the SAD-BJP Government. This, in fact, was one of the main issues on which we were voted to power. I am confident that the people themselves will reject Badal and his family when the corruption charges against them are proved in a court of law. I also have complete faith in our judicial system.

It is common knowledge that most politicians are in the business to make money. Why target only the Badal family? Anil Shantaram Gudekar
That is unfortunately the impression commonly shared by the public. But I believe that, like in all other profession, there are good and bad people in politics also.

As for the contention that ‘‘only the Badal family is being targetted’’, let me bring you up-to-date with what is happening in Punjab. Since March 1, 2002 the State Vigilance Bureau has registered 370 inquiries against government officials and other public servants including 12 former ministers, four IAS officers, six IFS officers, one SP, four DSPs and 87 non-gazetted officers. A number of convictions have already been obtained in these cases.

What steps are you taking to nab corrupt government doctors and staff who are involved in female infanticide in Punjab. Jagdev Singh
We have responded swiftly wherever there has been a credible complaint against any official or public man. For the first time in Punjab, we have registered cases against doctors running illegal sex-determination clinics. We have also proceeded against unscrupulous doctors and their touts in the Rs 200-crore Amritsar kidney scam.

What steps have you taken to check corruption among your own ministers? Kirit Verma
I have said often enough before and I repeat here, our drive against corruption will make no exception. The position or political affiliation of a corrupt person will never be allowed to serve as immunity from scrutiny and investigation. Only recently, we have asked the Vigilance Bureau to inquire into charges against a serving minister. The man was asked to relinquish office until his name has been cleared.

There is corruption at every level in the state. What are you doing to curb this? Pushap
You are right. Our drive against corruption has not had the expected impact on corruption at lower levels of administration. We are now in the process of considering new proposals that will make it difficult for officials dealing directly with the public or at the ‘‘cutting edge’’ to indulge in corruption. Meanwhile, complaints against such officials will be readily entertained by the Vigilance Bureau. However, I do feel that some amount of change has already taken place.

You seem to have focussed all your energy on this drive against the Badals. Aren’t there more important issues, like development of the state and its people? Barinder Ahluwalia
Unfortunately, the media has tended to focus almost exclusively on our drive against corruption, especially the ongoing investigations into charges of corruption against the Badals. Everybody appears to forget that this government has worked hard to bring Punjab’s economy out of the red in 16 months.

We now have firm policies in place on industry, agriculture, disinvestment and tourism. While the media seems to have glossed over most of this, we draw satisfaction from the fact that the World Bank and other international monetary organisation are now, for the first time in six years, once again looking at Punjab as a destination for investment.