UP has a brigade of irresponsible ministers: Jaiswal

Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal hit out at Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for his remark on suspension of IAS Durga Shakti Nagpal and said there was a brigade of irresponsible ministers in state.

New Delhi: Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Thursday hit out at Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for his reported remark on the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal and said there was a brigade of irresponsible ministers in the state without any restraint on their tongues. "There is an army of irresponsible ministers in Uttar Pradesh without any restraint on their tongues. It is the duty of the state government to restrain them. I keep on reading that top leadership in UP also advise them to have restraint," the Coal Minister told reporters here.

"Ram naam ki loot hai loot sako to loot lo (You are allowed to loot in the name of lord Ram)," Khan had told a TV channel while speaking on the suspension of Nagpal, who had the reputation of having taken on the sand mafia in Noida. Amid increasing demand for revoking the suspension, Jaiswal said the Centre would certainly take cognisance of the issue if it receives a report from the state and detects violation of rules. "If the government of India receives any report from the state government about violation of rules, it will surely take a cognisance of it. Government has not received any report so far," he said. "Unless we get a report, we can`t do anything on the matter. As per provisions, a detailed report will come to the DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training)," Jaiswal said. He also termed as personal thoughts demands by leaders like former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for splitting the state into four parts, besides creation of Gorkhaland and Vidarbha, close on heels of UPA giving nod for the creation of a separate Telangana state. He said instead, "State Reorganisation Commission should be constituted and based on its recommendations, further decisions should be taken." PTI