Jammu, February 09 (Scoop News) – Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi ud Din today welcomed the direction of an anti corruption court here asking the Vigilance Organisation to verify the allegations of corruption in Public Health Engineering Department.
Addressing a press conference here this morning, the Minister said he has already directed his officers to provide relevant records to the probing agency adding the same is in line with the Government policy of conducting a fair and transparent business.
Complimenting the judge and the court for the decision, the Minister said it has given him an opportunity to prove his point for which the Government would provide all facilities to the investigating officers. He requested for completing the probe as fast as possible so that fact and fiction are brought to light. This, he said, would clear the false and malicious impression being created by some vested interests about his integrity, honesty and conduct.
On the charge of diversion of funds under National Rural Drinking Water Programme(NRDWP), Taj clarified that the allocations to Doda district were made well within the ceiling limit of the scheme. He said the allocation to Doda district under the programme is Rs. 21 out of which only Rs. 18 crore were released. He said the Minister has the powers to grant extra money to areas or communities like SC/ST or OBC which are lagging in development and without such facilities. He said Government has the moral duty to reach out to down trodden people and areas for extending benefits and incentives as is mandated by the Constitution as well.
On the specifics of charges leveled, the Minister said many of them occurred much before his taking over as the Minister concerned (Item Wise Reply enclosed). He said the Rajouri PHE scam occurred in 2007 in which inquiry was initiated by the then Chief Minister and the Challans were produced in the court of law. Similarly, he said, the case of Samba PHE Division occurred in 2002-03 and 2004-05 which the Vigilance Organisation is probing. Even some charges leveled against me date back to 1998, 1997, 1995 and even 1989 much before I became a Minister or an MLA, Taj disclosed. He said the probe would give him an opportunity to clear his stand and help in catching hold of the guilty.
The Minister said his performance as a Minister has remained excellent and got praised from one and all from within the assembly and outside, from ruling alliance to the opposition including all the three chief ministers he has worked with. He said during his tenure he has taken many revolutionary steps which would go a long way in strengthening the socio-economic profile of the State. He said some disgruntled elements have not digested this and have launched this slanderous campaign.
Replying to a question about leakage of PAC deliberations as carried by a section of media, Taj said proceedings of PAC are conducted in camera and their publication before tabling in the House is an offence on which the Speaker can take action under law. He, however, said the PAC had dropped the para against his Department.
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