STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: BJP State Spokesperson Prof. Virender Gupta, in a statement, said that the State Government is in a serious mess because of financial irregularities and scandals committed during the previous regime and because of lack of desired initiatives.
He illustrated his points by quoting the reports that a standing amount of Rs. 2,509.11 crore is outstanding against various government departments, influential individuals, firms and traders on account of various taxes administered by Commercial Taxes Department.
As per the CAG report tabled in both the Houses of State Legislature the fiscal liabilities of State Government are accumulating alarmingly and have gone up to Rs. 48, 314 crore on 2014-15 from Rs. 31,271 crore in 2010-11, an increase of Rs. 17,042 crores in last five years (about 42 per cent)
The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) is moving with slow pace in the cases referred to it. As per government order of 2003, the Vigilance Organisation has to conduct surprise checks jointly with the concerned department whereas out of 114 Joint Surprise Checks to be conducted, the Vigilance Organisation merely conducted only 16 from July 2015 to December 2015. The government on its own is also soft peddling on sanctioning prosecution in corruption cases as a result of which erring officers and officials have remained unpunished.
The Chief Minister, Mebhooba Mufti in her statement in the legislature said that the State Government employees would have to wait for seventh Pay Commission for atleast two years as she stated that government has many financial liabilities, including around Rs. 20,000 crore of General Provident Fund money missing.
Prof. Virender Gupta said that with the above stated financial position of the State and financial outstanding against various departments and influential individuals, it is desired that government should cut down its expenditure, preserve economy and constitute inquiry against the persons, including the ex-ministers and bureaucrats, who committed scandals and looted public money. It should activate the SVC and establish accountability and transparency in the government working.