DCs, SSPs told to check corruption or face action

The Punjab Government on Friday asked all deputy commissioners, senior superintendents of police, sub-divisional magistrates and SHOs to check corruption at public offices, or face action.

Reacting to it, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said the order was “self-explanatory” about the corruption prevailing in the in the state under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule.

“The instructions were an attempt by the CM (Bhagwant Mann) to woo the MLAs in his favour as the legislators were complaining that officers did not listen to them,” said Bajwa in a statement. However, ruling AAP lauded the initiative, calling it a major step towards honest governance.

The move came days after ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators met their national convener Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, a meeting held following the party’s Assembly poll defeat in the national capital.

Issuing the instructions, the Department of Personnel and Vigilance Secretary said corrupt practices undermine public trust, weaken institutions and hinder national growth, so top priority must be accorded to check this menace.

In order to ensure corruption-free and citizen-friendly governance, all field officers should take stringent and effective steps, the officer said in the order issued on Friday.

The order said to make the officers accountable and more responsive, feedback will be taken not only from the public, but also from MLAs and MPs over their working.

Commenting on it, Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora said the move would encourage honest and competent officers besides ensuring strict action against corrupt officials.

Arora said the primary goal of the decision was to ensure that people could avail of all kind of government services without any trouble, bribery or harassment.