Srinagar: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Jammu and Kashmir getting more teeth and powers is giving sleepless night to the people, who have indulged in corruption and misadventures in the past.
On Tuesday, the ACB booked a former Excise Commissioner on the charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Like the former bureaucrat many big wigs have been booked by the ACB in the past one and a half year.
An analyst while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Corruption in J&K has always been a cause of concern. Erstwhile political regimes also launched many drives against the corrupt elements but the desired results couldn’t be achieved due to one or other reason. Now, there are no political pressures and the ACB seems to be on a mission to finish the unaccomplished tasks.”
He said, “Approaching the ACB has become very simple as the bureau takes the cognizance of the complaints very swiftly. In the recent past many officials have been caught red handed while accepting the illegal gratification.”
“Times have changed. In the past big fishes used to escape all the dragnets as they enjoyed political patronage and impunity but now it’s not happening. Even the old cases that were pushed under the carpet are being reopened and scrutinized. People like, Hilal Rather, son of former J&K Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, former J&K Bank chairman, Parvez Ahmed Nengroo not being spared by the ACB is an ample proof of the fact that J&K is changing fast,” the analyst added.
He said that the ACB tightening its noose around the big names have created ripples in the government offices. “The government employees are trying their best to keep themselves safe by finishing the jobs assigned to them within a stipulated time period. The culture of files being kept pending is disappearing fast. The employees have become aware of the fact that they cannot take their jobs for granted anymore,” the analyst added.
J&K’s reorganization has automatically extended the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the union territory and it doesn’t need any permission from the government to take action against any suspect. The CBI in the recent past has become active and has been asking the people to approach the agency in case some official or anyone else seeks illegal gratification from them.
Another analyst said, “Since the day Manoj Sinha has taken over the reins of Jammu and Kashmir, he has made it amply clear to everyone that interests of a common man have to be safeguarded at every cost and no indiscipline will be tolerated. Change is visible.”