Kolkata, May 13 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced the state government's decision to reinstate the "standing clearance" to the CBI so that it can initiate a probe against any government officer involved in corruption.
As a result, the Central investigating agency will no longer require prior permission from the West Bengal government to initiate a probe against government officials involved in corruption in the state.
Addressing a Press conference at Nabanna, Adhikari said that the previous Trinamool Congress-led state government withdrew the "standing clearance" to the CBI for initiating suo motu probes in graft cases. The CBI could only initiate a probe in the state only if it was court-ordered.
Adhikari stated that the state government had granted clearance, and the CBI will be able to take action against officials accused in corruption cases related to recruitment irregularities in school recruitment, civic bodies recruitment or cooperative corruptions.
"We have taken a zero tolerance against institutionalised corruption. The former Chief Minister, who was also the Home minister, had delayed granting the CBI permission to proceed in four corruption cases involving senior officials for nearly four years. CBI or any court-appointed agency requires the state government's sanction in case of prosecution or filing a chargesheet against government officials. The previous government delayed the sanction to save corrupt officials," Adhikari said.
He also added: "There were ongoing probes against officers involved in corruption, including the teachers' recruitment scam of the Education department, municipal recruitment scam and some Cooperative-related corruptions that are monitored by the court. We have now granted the necessary sanction to the CBI against officials linked to corruption in three departments. Copies of the approval have already been sent to the agency."
He pointed out that the BJP had repeatedly promised "zero tolerance" towards corruption during the election campaign and asserted the new government has begun working on it. Asserting that people have high expectations from the new government, Adhikari said: "Action against institutional corruption was also part of our party's manifesto. In the coming days, people of the state will witness more such measures."
In a parallel development, the state government has also ordered the immediate shutdown of all unauthorised toll gates and illegal drop barriers that are allegedly used to collect toll illegally across the state. In an order issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, instructions have been listed that any toll gates, drop gates, barricaded structures or other collection points set up for the collection of toll tax or fees without formal approval from the competent state authority must cease operations with immediate effect.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.