Yogi govt's extra vigil to curb corruption in UP

To curb corruption in transfer postings and awarding of contracts, the Uttar Pradesh government is all set to adopt strict measures which include keeping a tight vigil on all ministers and their departments.

The vigil will be conducted by special operatives apart from top functionaries in the government and the party.

According to sources, soon after the recent expansion of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Cabinet, the working of the ministers along with their personal secretaries and public relations officers is also going to be monitored. Sources say the monitoring is being done by key people involved in governance and also from the party.

Ministers have already been warned not to get involved in any such activity which can cause embarrassment to the government and give the opposition a chance to raise questions.

In the past, some ministers have faced criticism for transfers and the awarding of contracts. It is being said that this was the reason that some of them were removed in the recent Cabinet reshuffle. The Chief Minister did cancel many of the transfers made by the ministers, and now he wants that no department should repeat such instances.

The Chief Minister has made it clear that transparency should be maintained and has asked them to be careful about their personal staff and relatives in particular.

An official said that the Chief Minister himself will be keeping a close watch on all the transfers and tender processes from now on. The Yogi government has faced a lot of flak for allegations of corruption in transfers and awarding of contracts. Sources say that to check corruption 'undercover' people have been deployed to keep a watch on the departments.

State BJP spokesperson Chandramohan said, "Yogi government is working with 100 per cent honesty. The policy of the government is to work on zero tolerance against corruption. The Chief Minister is very clear on this. Stern steps have been taken in the past and this will continue in future also."

Recently, five ministers resigned from the Cabinet before the expansion was carried out. Transport Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal, Dharmpal Singh, Archana Pandey and Anupama Jaiswal resigned.

In his resignation, Agarwal cited old age as the reason while Swatantra Dev Singh had to resign as he became the head of the party in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the other ministers resigned after cases of corruption in their respective departments came to light.

( With inputs from IANS )