Jammu and Kashmir State Committee of CPI (M) on Tuesday called for mass movement to take on the menace of corruption which it said had has afflicted every sphere of politico-administrative set up in the State. Hundreds of people while holding placards in their hands gathered at bus stand shouting slogans against corruption, demanding immediate measures from the state government to put an end to the menace. The demonstration while passing through the streets of the town later culminated at Deputy Commissioner’s Office wherein a sit-in was staged. The protesters alleged that corruption was rampant in Kulgam district.
The State Secretary CPI (M) and MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami, who started his campaign jatha in south Kashmir against corruption said, “It (corruption) has been institutionalized so much that it has gained legitimacy with opportunist officials enjoying patronage to the detriment of the poor and under privileged.” “The upward graph of corruption is going to erode the fundamentals of our society. This menace has deep rooted implications and if the trend continues the day is not far when ours will be a society of criminals.”
He demanded a Lokpal type legislation in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the state government to bring the legislation in the Assembly as soon as possible. Tarigami said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was not being properly implemented in the state as there is gross mismanagement of funds and the poor and deserving rural populace was deprived of even the jobs cards. “There is favoritism in allocation of different works under this scheme and the money meant for poor goes into the pockets of corrupt officials and influential contractors,” said Tarigami. In Social Welfare department, Tarigami said, corruption was deep rooted and four Anganwari workers were working against a single post while the money meant for welfare of the people goes into the pockets of higher ups. The case of various works departments, Tarigami said, was no different.
Tarigami also alleged that there was no transparency in the issuance of ration cards. “We have always maintained that each and every individual should be provided a ration card as by not issuing the same the government is facilitating corruption and giving a free hand to the corrupt officials and politicians,” he said, adding that crores of rupees are being embezzled on this pretext.
Tarigami also expressed concern over the erratic power supply in the valley. “Despite hike in power tariff the government has failed to provide proper electricity to the people even in the summer season,” he said. Tarigami also expressed distress over inflation in the market and said that hike in petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and cooking gas price has severely affected the life of a common man.
Tarigami also sought to bring the horticulture industry of the state under Crop Insurance Act.
“The fruit growers incur huge losses in case of extreme climatic conditions. So the government should bring them under the purview of the Insurance Act,” he said. Tarigami later said that Kulgam being his home constituency, the campaign against corruption was started from here but vowed to carry forward the campaign in other districts of the state.
He said that his party would not be a mute spectator and would lead a movement and fight against corruption till it is uprooted from the society. “On July 20, a rally against corruption will be held in Srinagar,” Tarigami declared.
Courtesy : Greater Kashmir
