Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandaris decision to institute a judicial inquiry into the alleged irregularities in allotment of land in the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) instead of allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch an investigation is being perceived as a cover-up operation by the politicians and the bureaucrats.
Though CBI director Joginder Singh had sought the Governors permission to probe the charges of corruption against former Noida chairperson Neera Yadav, Bhandari last week ordered a judicial inquiry.
State BJP spokesman Lalji Tondon said that when there is corruption in high places, it is natural that efforts will be made to cover it up. Bureaucrats, on condition of anonymity, point out that there is no guarantee that the judicial commission will produce its report in three months, or that its time will not be extended, or any future government will not scrap it. There are so many reports of the commissions and so few action that these have lost all significance, the bureaucrats said.
The course of events suggest high level of complicity between Yadav and the highest decision makers in the state. For example, the chief secretary is reported to have finalised the notice allowing Yadav three weeks to reply on last Friday. This was after her outburst in the press against her colleagues and the threat to spill the beans and the names.
But, more than a week has elapsed and the state government has not been able to serve the direct explanation notice on her. Raj Bhawan sources said that Yadav could not be traced as she is out of Lucknow. Unconfirmed reports said that she was either in Bulandshahr or in New Delhi. Incidentally, Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders had earlier maintained that no permission will be given to the CBI to launch a detailed inquiry.
They pointed out that not only was Yadav retained as Noida chief by the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, but she was also retained by Mayawati and then by Governor Motilal Vohra after the state was brought under Central rule. Therefore, none of the politicians is interested in her being nailed.
Apparently, Yadavs threat to reveal all has worked, they pointed out. Many heads are expected to roll if a full and detailed inquiry into scam is conducted, it is said. Top politicians and bureaucrats are reported to have benefited from allegedly irregular allotment of plots in Noida.
The beneficiaries reportedly include Mayawatis two brothers, relations of the present cabinet secretary and two of his predecessors.
