The suspension of two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers for their alleged involvement in the National Highway-74 scam is a major step taken against corruption by the Government. Stating that the suspension is proof of the State’s zero tolerance for corruption, the Bharatiya Janata Party State president Ajay Bhatt said that other aspects including more serious anomalies in the scam are likely to be exposed in the future including aspects involving the Congress party.
Addressing the media at the BJP State office, Bhatt said that the public had voted the BJP to office believing that once in office, the Government would take stern action against corruption. Referring to the NH-74 scam, he said that so far 22 persons including seven Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers have been arrested in the case.
This sends a clear message to all that the loot of Uttarakhand’s resources will not be tolerated. The BJP is fighting against corruption at the Centre under prime minister Narendra Modi and party’s national president Amit Shah and in the State under Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. In some other cases in Uttarakhand, the Government has formed special investigation teams and the probe into these cases will also be concluded as necessary.
He said, “One important thing related to the NH-74 scam is that on the orders of the High Court the District Magistrate opened a Government account in which 24 farmers have deposited the amount they received in excess of the compensation they were eligible for. About Rs 2.31 crore has been deposited in this account so far which further substantiates orchestration of the scam.
The probe is progressing and many other things are likely to be exposed. The Congress leaders are questioning the investigation as they are worried. In this case, it has been revealed that there was an account of the Congress to operate which the officer on special duty (OSD) of the then Chief Minister was removed from that post and made an office bearer of the Congress to enable the desired use of the money deposited in that account.
The SIT has already questioned some Congress leaders in this regard.” Regarding the Congress demand for probe by the CBI, Bhatt said that the State had recommended that but the department of Personnel and Training had did not permit that. The BJP State chief also mentioned that some Congress leaders are illogically linking the suspension of the two IAS officers to the Investors’ Summit since both subjects are separate.
He, further, said that the SIT was undertaking its task with honesty. It had submitted its report to the Government on July 10 after which necessary action was taken and the IAS officers concerned were also given an opportunity to clarify their stand. The BJP State media in charge Devendra Bhasin and party leader Ajendra Ajay were also present in the Press conference.
