Punjab officials asked to check corruption or face action

Chandigarh: The Punjab govt has directed deputy commissioners (DCs), sub divisional magistrates (SDMs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs) and station house officers (SHOs) to check corruption in their respective areas or else "face action."
The letter has been sent by the department of personnel with "instructions regarding efficient and accountable governance". The letter instructed field officers to implement strict measures to ensure that individuals do not experience harassment or be asked for financial payments when engaging with govt officials at any level.
"Interactions with the govt officials at all levels should be completely hassle free and public work should be done in minimum possible time and efficiently." It adds, "To make the officers more responsive and accountable, feedback about each DC, SSP, SDM, naib tehsildar, SP, DSP, and SHO, and other field officers will be taken not only from the public but also from the MPs, and MLAs."
An official spokesman said the state govt has an "unwavering commitment" to ensure full transparency, accountability and integrity in public service delivery. "As corrupt practices undermine public trust and weaken institutions, top priority must be accorded to check this menace," he said.
"The Punjab govt has said to make the officers even more responsive and accountable, feedback will be taken from the elected representatives. The feedback will organically lead to rewards and punishments for the officers. The state govt has directed the officers to work harder to further ensure honest, responsive and efficient governance in the state," he added.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lauded the decision and termed it a step towards honest governance. AAP Punjab president Aman Arora praised the decision and said that it would encourage honest and competent officers and ensure strict action against corrupt officials.
Arora added that the main objective of this decision is to ensure that people can access all government services smoothly, without facing trouble, bribery, or unnecessary delays, and to liberate them from the scourge of corruption.
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said the Mann govt has had a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption since day one. He said after the formation of the AAP govt, corrupt officers and employees have been acted against. This decision would also ensure accountability of district- and tehsil-level officials, ensuring that no form of corruption exists in the system, he added.
MSID:: 118248071 413 |