Baramulla, Oct 19: Politicians and bureaucrats who have indulged in corrupt practices to amass wealth would be made accountable for the crime and their misdeeds made public, Minister for Finance and Planning Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said. The government is soon going to cast the anti-corruption net over some big fishes who misused their official position to mercilessly loot the public wealth, Baig announced at a public meeting at the border area of Sheeri here last afternoon.
Quoting an instance of mismanagement and plunder of funds, the minister said the construction of Sawalakote Power Project was handed over by the previous National Conference government to a Norwegian company for Rs 7500 crore. But the PDP-Congress government re-negotiated with the company and brought down the cost to Rs 5400 crore.
He added that the government has given a free hand to the vigilance department to bring the corrupt elements to book.
Baig further said that the government would not spare even its own officials in its war against corruption. ``if there is a genuine complaint of corruption against any minister, bureaucrat or officer, the people may bring it to the notice of the Chief Minister,`` he told the gathering.
Baig asserted that the government would not be cowed down by threats of political maneuvering to prevent it from proceeding against the corrupt politicians.
He added that the fear caused by the government action in registering corruption cases against some erstwhile political and bureaucratic bigwigs has suddenly fuelled speculations of the coalition government getting destabilized.
Asserting that this political maneuvering and horse-trading is going to fall flat, Baig said there was no threat to the coalition government and it is going to complete its full term in office as it has the people`s trust and faith.
Bureau Report