Page 8 - Corruption

No 'Acchhe Din' in 10 years: Sibal's swipe at PM over his I-Day pitch

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks during the Independence Day speech, asking where were the "achche din" and what happened as he had almost 10 years to get rid of corruption. In a post on X, Sibal said, "PM on August 15: You said: We have to get rid of corruption. But you had almost 10 years. What happened? Where are the 'Acchhe Din'. Forgotten? Inflation is imported. Our vegetables are not!" "Next 5 years golden period. For whom? The poor, Dalits, Minorities or ?" Sibal said in a dig at the prime minister. Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. He has floated a non-electoral platform 'Insaaf' aimed at fighting injustice. Setting the tone for his 2024 re-election bid, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday called for waging a war against the "three evils" of corruption, appeaseme

MP: BJP files complaint against Priyanka Gandhi over '50% commission' post

Priyanka Gandhi stated that a union of contractors from Madhya Pradesh had written to the high court's chief justice, claiming that they received payments only after paying 50% commission

Priyanka Gandhi alleges corruption by MP govt, BJP warns of action

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Madhya Pradesh warned of action against Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her social media post, in which she accused the saffron party-led government in the state of indulging in corruption. Terming her allegation as false, MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra sought a proof from the Congress leader to support her charge, warning that options were otherwise open before the state government and the BJP for action. State BJP chief V D Sharma warned of legal action against the Congress leader, accusing her of citing a fake letter in her social media post to level the allegation. The state Congress, however, said it would prove that the BJP-led government is corrupt and also accused the ruling party of creating "political terror". On Friday, Priyanka Gandhi claimed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that a union of contractors from Madhya Pradesh has written a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court, complaining that they ...

Javadekar demands probe into allegations against Kerala CM's daughter

Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Saturday demanded a probe by competent central agencies into corruption charges over the alleged financial dealings between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's firm and a Kochi-based minerals company. He alleged it is also a curious case of corruption where the owner of the company has given Rs 96 crore to leaders of various political parties, including the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition UDF. "It's a fraud. As a result, all agencies that investigate fraud should investigate (this case). That is my demand," Javadekar, who is in Thrissur, told PTI. The senior BJP leader, who is the party's Kerala in-charge, claimed that the people have lost faith in the probe by the state government agencies and alleged that "it's all whitewash". The senior BJP leader's statement came days after the party claimed that Vijayan could face an investigation on corruption charges over the alleged "indictment" of his daughter Veena's fi

Impact of corruption felt most by poor, marginalised people: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the impact of corruption is felt most by the poor and the marginalised people. He said corruption affects the allocation of resources, markets and diminishes the quality of life of people. Addressing virtually the G-20 anti-corruption Ministerial meeting at Kolkata the PM said "India has a strict policy of zero tolerance against corruption." He said Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had cautioned us against greed as it prevents us from realising the truth. Modi said, "We are aggressively pursuing economic offenders. We have enacted the economic offender act and have recovered assets worth over 1.8 billion dollars from economic offenders and fugitives". Modi said at G-20, our collective efforts can significantly support the fight against corruption. "At the G-20 summit in 2018, I had presented 9-point agenda for action against fugitive economic offenders for asset recovery. I am pleased to note that decisive steps are being taken by y

Bharat asking corruption, dynasty, appeasement to 'Quit India': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said certain people are trying to create roadblocks in making India a developed country, and citizens are now demanding ills, like corruption and appeasement to 'Quit India'. Speaking on the National Handloom Day celebration at Bharat Mandapam here, the prime minister said a new revolution has come in the country regarding Swadeshi, and urged the citizens to give further push to local products during the forthcoming festivals. He also said the country is witnessing rise of a 'neo-middle class', which provides a big opportunity to textile companies. In an apparent swipe at the Opposition bloc 'I.N.D.I.A', Modi said the country in one voice is now asking ills like corruption, dynasty politics and appeasement to "Quit India". Referring to the increasing adoption of Khadi in the country, Modi said the sales have now increased to Rs 1.30 lakh crore from about Rs 25,000-30,000 crore before 2014. "It is our endeavour to make India's handloom, Khadi,

Fight against corruption in BJD govt: Amit Shah asks Odisha BJP leaders

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held closed-door meetings with BJP leaders in Odisha and urged them to "expose corruption and irregularities" in the Naveen Patnaik government in the state, a saffron party functionary said. Shah's appeal to his party leaders comes hours after he praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, hailing him for becoming the CM five times in a row. His message to the BJP leaders also comes days after Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal said it would support the bill replacing the Delhi services ordinance and oppose the no-confidence motion proposed by various opposition parties against the NDA government at the Centre. The home minister urged BJP leaders in Odisha to strengthen the party's organisation at the booth level and to "expose corruption and irregularities" in the state government, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal told reporters here. Shah also advised the party leaders to take up local issues and remain connected with the people to solve their ...

Pak ex-PM moved to Attock jail after 3-year sentence in corruption case

Imran Khan was shifted to Attock jail in Pakistan's Punjab province amid tight security on Saturday after a trial court found the former prime minister guilty of corrupt practices in a corruption case and sentenced him to three years in prison. Khan, 70, was arrested from his Zaman Park home in Lahore on Saturday shortly after the Islamabad trial court convicted him in the Toshakhana corruption case.

Pak court sentences Imran Khan to three years in prison in Toshakhana case

A court in Pakistan on Saturday sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison in a corruption case in which the embattled former prime minister is accused of profiting from selling expensive state gifts when he was in power. Additional Judge Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad-based district and sessions judge also imposed Rs100,000 fine on Khan, adding that he would be kept in jail for another six months if failed to pay the fine. Khan, 70, was convicted in the Toshakhana case which was filed last year on the complaint of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which had earlier disqualified him in the same case. The verdict came a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside a session court's verdict to uphold the maintainability of the Toshakhana case for criminal proceedings against Khan. The Toshakhana issue over the sale of state gifts received by the former cricketer-turned-politician became a major issue in national politics after the ECP disqualified Khan on October 2

In political palette of TN, saffron is a colour DMK wants turned pallid

On June 14, Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after 18 hours of interrogation and a search of his official residence and chamber at the state Secretariat

Opposition INDIA full of corrupt, criminals, alleges BJP's Dinesh Sharma

BJP leader Dinesh Sharma on Saturday criticised the newly formed opposition alliance INDIA, alleging it was full of corrupt people and people with criminal history. Sharma also said only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can fulfil the aspirations of the people, and not the opposition parties. "Corrupt and charge sheeted people have emerged in the form of the opposition alliance. Only the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi work for the sons and daughters of the public, while the leaders of the opposition parties work for their own sons and daughters," Sharma said addressing a programme here. "The TMC chief will work for her nephew, NCP's Sharad Pawar will work for his daughter, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah will work for his son (Omar), RJD leader Lalu Yadav will work for son Tejashwi, and (SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav will work for his clan," said the former Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister. BJP's Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for

CBI registers FIR against MES officials, private firms in a corruption case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered five separate cases against several accused including senior officials of Military Engineer Services (MES) in Jabalpur and private firms on the allegations of causing loss to the tune of Rs 16.24 crore (approx) to government exchequer.In a statement, CBI said that searches were conducted at around 12 places including at Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Prayagraj and Shillong at the premises of accused/firms which led to recovery of incriminating documents.The FIR has been registered against then Garrison Engineer, Assistant Garrison Engineer, Junior Engineer of MES Jabalpur, and private firms.It was alleged that the Garrison Engineer (East), MES, Jabalpur, had awarded around 59 contracts during the financial year 2020-21, 2021-22 & 2022-23 for various Civil, Electrical and Mechanical and other works in various Defence Offices/Residential Complexes etc. to private firms.The accused allegedly accepted abnormally low rate quoted by the ...

Sri Lanka parliament passes anti-corruption bill without vote: Speaker

The legislation was passed without a vote in the 225-member parliament

Singapore anti-corruption body questions Indian-origin minister: Report

Singapore's Indian-origin Transport Minister S Iswaran was questioned for around 10 hours by the authorities in connection to an investigation into a case of corruption, according to local media reports. Iswaran, 61, arrived at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) building at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill estate at about 10.50 am on Tuesday and left at 8.48 pm in an SUV, according to a report by TODAY newspaper. The minister, who has taken a leave of absence from his official duties, entered the compound alone. Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited Managing Director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on July 11, the anti-graft body said last week, adding that the two were assisting with investigations. The agency did not give details on the nature of the probe. Both were released on bail, and their passports were impounded as part of their bail conditions. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation was completed, the Prime ..

BJP blames 'inaction', 'corruption' of AAP govt for floods in Delhi

The BJP on Saturday alleged that inaction and corruption of the AAP government was responsible for the flood in Delhi and asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to apologise to the people for "failing" to handle the situation. Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia and party MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma alleged that the flood was caused by lack of desilting of the Yamuna in the last eight years of the Kejriwal government. "The AAP and Kejriwal are big on making excuses, corruption and inaction. Just like they blamed the Centre and other states during the COVID-19 pandemic and for pollution, they were now accusing Haryana for flood in Delhi," Bhatia said. He said while the Centre, army, NDRF, Delhi LG and other agencies were working hard to provide relief to the people, the AAP leader and ministers of the Kejriwal government were alleging there was a "conspiracy" to flood the city. Verma claimed that in a meeting on May 23 this year, it was decided how much wate

Corruption biggest ideology of Cong, Chhattisgarh has become its ATM: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that corruption was its biggest ideology, and said the grand old party cannot breathe without it. Modi said if the Congress is a guarantee for corruption, he is a guarantee for action against graft. Addressing a rally at the Science College ground in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, he said the state has become an ATM of the Congress. The scam-ridden Congress government in Chhattisgarh has become a model of misrule and people have decided to root out it in the upcoming Assembly elections, he said. This was Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly elections are due this year-end, after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019. "...The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh, but a big 'panja' (referring to Congress party symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress's panja had decided to snatch your rights and it

Chhattisgarh 'liquor scam' generated Rs 2,161 cr corruption money: ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Rs 2,161 crore of corruption money was generated in the alleged "liquor scam" that began in 2019 in Chhattisgarh with the syndicate comprising senior bureaucrats of state, politicians, their associates and officials of the Excise Department. In its prosecution complaint filed on Tuesday before a special court here in a money laundering case linked to alleged liquor scam in the state, the central agency said this Rs 2,161 crore amount should have gone to the state exchequer. It named Anwar Dhebar, brother of Congress leader and Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Arunpati Tripathi, liquor businessman Trilok Singh Dhillon, hotelier Nitesh Purohit and Arvind Singh as accused. The 'prosecution complaint' along with relied upon documents, in 13,000 pages, was filed in the court under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), said ED's counsel Saurabh .

CVC asks its officers not to seek perks for additional charge assignments

The Central Vigilance Commission has asked chief vigilance officers (CVOs) not to request perks and facilities from organisations where they hold only additional charge, according to an official order. The CVO act as a distant arm of the Commission to check corruption in an organisation. Every organisation is required to have a separate CVO, and major ones appoint full time CVOs. Sometimes, an officer appointed as CVO in an organisation is given additional charge of another on a temporary basis due to administrative reasons. "CVOs should not request for or avail of any facility, perks, perquisites etc. from the organisation, where they are holding only additional charge," the commission said in the order issued to secretaries of all central government departments, chief executives of public sector banks and enterprises among others. The organisations where an officer is holding the post of CVO as additional charge should continue to provide him or her the required support for ...

Congress claims corruption in purchase of laptops under Safe Kerala project

After raising allegations of large-scale corruption by the ruling Left government in the state in the procurement and installation of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras under the Safe Kerala initiative, the opposition Congress on Monday claimed irregularities in purchase of laptops under the same project. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who had first raised the issue of corruption in connection with the AI cameras, claimed that laptops for the project were purchased for more than three times what they would have actually cost. Chennithala claimed that laptops with specifications stipulated under the project contract would have cost only around Rs 57,000 per machine. However, the 358 laptops required for the project were bought for Rs 1.48 lakh per machine for a total of over Rs five crore, he contended while speaking to reporters here. The Congress leader also alleged that the same private company which was involved in the installation of the AI cameras was the one beh

Even God not spared in MP, says Digvijaya as Congress holds protests

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said corruption was rampant in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, and even God has not been spared. During the day, the Congress staged protests in 51 districts of the state against corruption, highlighting the May 28 incident where six idols installed at Ujjain's Mahakal Lok Corridor collapsed due to the high winds, the June 12 fire at Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal where government offices are housed, and rising inflation. We could not hold protest in two districts -- Indore and Jhabua -- due to inclement weather, chairman of the MP Congress media cell K K Mishra told PTI. Elections are due in MP by year-end. When Kamal Nath was chief minister, he had sanctioned Rs 300-350 crore for the renovation of the Mahakaleshwar temple at Ujjain. A contractor from Gujarat assured that the idols installed there would remain intact for a century. But they tumbled in the light wind within just one year," Singh said at the meeting here. They are not sparing .