Srinagar: Kashmir has surpassed Jammu region as for as corruption cases registered by Anti-Corruption Bureau are concerned.
In the first seven months of the current year, as per a local news gathering agency, the anti-graft body has registered 64 cases of corruption from the Kashmir region while 19 such cases have been reported from Jammu Division.
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Police Station in Srinagar (Central Kashmir) which covers Srinagar, Budgam and Gandarbal districts has registered 30 corruption cases which are the highest in the Valley, followed by 22 in Baramullah (North Kashmir) which includes Baramullah, Bandipora and Kupwara. Anantnag (South Kashmir) has reported 13 cases.
The data available on ACB website reveals that 19 cases of corruption have been reported from the Jammu division. Among these 19 cases, 11 have been registered by ACB Jammu including Samba and Kathua) followed by 5 by ACB Doda (Doda, Ramban and Kashtward), and 2 by Udhampur (Udhampur and Reasi), and 1 in Rajouri (Poonch, Rajouri).
ACB has arrested and registered cases against different officials some among them the top ones from Kashmir Valley. A day ago, a first-class executive magistrate (Tehsildar) was apprehended along with his clerk while demanding and accepting the bribe. Some top engineers and revenue officials have also been trapped by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The data reveals that more and more officials and government employees resort to malpractices, devising ways and means to earn quick bucks. (KNT)