'Ghost' children scam' Let public know of action taken

GUWAHATI: Inquiries into corruption often turn out to be a farce as the government often does nothing tangible against the wrongdoers. This makes the public lose faith on any such exercises ordered by the government.

The State government ordering inquiries as and when corrupt practices come to the fore, is a common practice. However, the masses often remain in the dark on the outcomes of such inquiries like fixation of responsibility and action taken. The common question from the public is, "Why is there a lack of transparency?"

Let's take to reality checks. At the instruction of the Chief Minister, an inquiry was ordered into the Rs 2,000-crore 'ghost' children scam in the Social Welfare department. At that time, the successive Social Welfare Ministers were quizzed by investigating agencies. However, the people of the State are in dark as to at what stage the inquiry is now, and whether any action was taken against the wrongdoers.

A probe was also ordered into the diversion of crores of rupees meant for mothers' health and welfare. The funds were used to buy equipment like sewing machines etc, purely to sub-serve the interest of the contractors. What baffles the public is that 'even now the tainted Congress-regime contractors are ruling the roost in the Social Welfare department'.

The inquiry into the efficacy of bulletproof jackets after the death of a Police officer at Bordumsa is still fresh in the minds of the people. Even as the then Additional Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna submitted his inquiry report to the government, the people of the State are in dark as to what action was taken against the wrongdoers.

The same is the case with the government probe into the alleged rampant disbursal of funds under the 'PM Kishan Samman Nidhi' loan. Additional Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah submitted his inquiry report to the government. However, the people are in dark as to who has been held responsible and what action has been taken against him or her.

CID sleuths arrested 11 officials for allowing coal-laden trucks near Koina-Dhora at Khanapara in the city to pass by in 2018. The investigators also prepared the charge sheets against the accused officials. However, the people of the State are unaware as to why the charge sheets have not been submitted to the Court as yet.

The only tangible action which the people of the State have seen as of now is in the 'cash-for-job' scam in the APSC.

Lack of transparency only breeds lack of people's faith on the government. All such inquiries are ordered after the Chief Minister's nod. However, is it not possible for the Chief Minister to keep track of all such inquiries?

Thus the responsibility of smooth conduct of inquiries lies with the departments concerned. If they confront any hurdles they should inform the Chief Minister so as to make the inquiries an effective tool to end corruption.

Besides, if the government has taken action against the wrongdoers in such scams, why doesn't it make the public know of such actions?

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