Govt. committed to provide transparent administration: Brahmpura

Chandigarh, Nov 2 (UNI) The Punjab Government is committed to provide free, fair, transparent and corruption free administration in the state, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjit singh Brahmpura said today.

Commenting on the ongoing strike by a section of PRIs, he said that no corrupt practices by any public servant would be tolerated.

The Minister said that state funds meant to provide basic amenities to rural people were being misused at various stages. He said these funds should be fully utilized.

He said that the funds meant for executing development works in rural areas were released and utilized by the Gram Panchyats and the accounts of such grants were maintained by the PRIs.

He said that in case of any lapse or embezzlement of funds, the responsibility solely lay on the executive agency that is Gram Panchyat.

He said the department had constituted a supervisory team which was investigating the embezzlement cases of embezzlement made during the previous government.

Earlier such embezzlements were probed by the State Vigilance Bureau but now such cases were being investigated by the department itself on the demand of PRIs .

Hence it was absurd not to probe such embezzlements even at the departmental level and the state becoming a mere spectator of public money being misued, he said.

The Minister advised the agitating representatives not to indulge in pressure tactics or issue any misleading statements about their "meaningless" demands. They must work for the upliftment of rural people and join hands with the government to provide overall development in the state, he added.

UNI