| Probes galore
From time to time officials in the Government circle leaked to the local media about institution of probes into alleged irregularities in implementation of schemes and projects. Right now the CBI is said to have been probing the infamous rice scandal during the regime of RK Ranbir Singh.
On top of this, reports have it that vigilance probes are being conducted into construction of houses around the Loktak Lake for phoom population and construction of the INA museum at Moirang.
While such initiatives are welcome one always has the doubt whether the inquiries will pull up guilty officials or persons if any and give them deterrent punishment. It must be noted with regret that cases of irregularities by officials must be piling up in the State vigilance Commission. It is also said that the Vigilance has been routinely recommending to the Government to award major to minor punishment to officials found guilty of swindling or embezzlement of fund. But there is not a single case where the guilty personnel is taken to the court and given punishment as per the law of the land.
Vigilance officials have been lamenting that the Government is sleeping over the recommendations made by it. The reason for Government inaction is not far too seek. The sad part is that the Government inaction has encountered those pilfering public money. The reports carried by the local media about missing of lottery money could well be the only proverbial tip of the iceberg. There might be many other cases of pilferage by the officials in collusion with their political masters.
All talks of rooting out corruption at the time poll campaigning are all rubbish. This political class who are an old hand in siphoning welfare funds will assume the role of a thief once they get elected. And with the election round the corner the former Ministers have started throwing mud against one another. One lesson the voters or the general public can draw from the tirade is that all are thieves and corrupt elements.
Not a single free and fair DPC has been held. Deserving candidates who could not grease official palms are rejected. Only undeserving candidates who have the right connections and right size of the purse are selected.
Recently some officials who are found involved in irregularities have been placed under suspension. Such official action makes little differences. They will continue to practice irregularities. Hence there should be no room for any leniency for the corrupt and unscrupulous elements. They should be terminated from service. Only then can others be deterred from committing loots of public money. Institution of inquiry committees should not mean that the Government wants to clean the system. It is totally useless if the findings of such inquiries are not going to be translated into action.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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