The state government has made all preparations to send an anti-corruption legislation which empowers the authorities to seize disproportionate assets amassed by politicians and government officials to the President for approval. “The law to curb the corruption has been passed by the Assembly last week. Now this legislation will be sent to the President within a week for approval,” says a senior government officials. The legislation brings all public servant, including the chief minister, under its preview, added the official.
‘’The government is also serious about enacting right to hearing law. The bill in this regard is under process,” the official said.
According to the state government, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has asked the authorities to bring a strong law to weed out corruption. ‘’Not only the fourth class government employees, the CM and senior government officers have been also brought under the purview of the newly-enacted law,” said a senior officer. Though the Opposition welcomed the move, it also raised several questions on it.
According to the provisions of the law, the disproportionate assets or properties will not be transferred or sold. The state government is going to set up special courts for hearing the matters related to the corruption. Besides this, an officer with district and session judge level will hear the matter in such cases.
“The state could send cases related to disproportionate assets and properties to special courts for hearing,” said a government spokesperson. “If the public servant whose property is confiscated is acquitted by the court later, the same will be returned with five per cent interest on its value,” the spokesperson added.
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RTI: Over 335 tigers died in last decade
New Delhi, April 15: Over 335 tigers have lost their lives in and outside various reserves of the country in the last decade, an RTI query has revealed.
Out of a total of 337 big cats which died due to poaching, infighting, accidents and old age among others, a highest of 58 were found dead in 2009, followed by 56 in 2011, 36 in 2008 and 28 each in 2007 and 2002, the RTI reply said.
A total of 17 tigers, including cubs, were found dead in 2005, 16 each in 2003 and between January and March this year, and 14 in 2006, the National Tiger Conser-vation Authority said in reply to the RTI query by PTI. According to the data, as many as 68 tigers were victims of poaching during the period. Besides, others had died of natural causes, including old age, road and rail accidents, electrocution and weakness. — PTI