Govt to clamp down on corruption

PATNA: The Bihar government has planned crackdown on corruption in a big way. In the first phase, the state's 22 rich, corrupt and (in)famous people with political connections are to be trapped by a specially raised anti-corruption squad. The list of these influential people includes those who have amassed huge wealth through various means, including government contracts. The bigwigs in question are believed to be fountainheads of corruption, involved in scams and other forms of malfeasance. And chief minister Nitish Kumar appears to be serious this time. When he announced the plan to strike at corruption during his Independence Day speech he definitely had a long-term picture in mind. According to highly placed sources, the move to hire ex-CBI officials for the special squad is aimed at achieving that goal. The ex-CBI personnel were needed because the state vigilance bureau is not well-equipped to lay hands on mafia and contractors who have grown rich at the cost of the state exchequer. "First we will nail these people and then identify corrupt government servants," said a senior official. The government's proposal will first be approved by the state cabinet. Although the squad will work in tandem with the state vigilance bureau, the home department will also monitor its functioning. The sources said nearly 150 retired CBI personnel, mostly DSP and inspector-rank officials would be hired on contract basis for two years.