Property of four J

Srinagar, July 30 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation (VO) has confiscated the property of four senior government officials and registered against 29 under the amended prevention of ''Corruption Act 2006.'' The Authority designated by the Jammu and Kashmir Government under the amended prevention of corruption act, 2006, has confirmed the attachment order of a Commercial Complex of Kiran Wattal, a former Joint Commissioner Works Jammu Municipal Corporation, Vigilance Commissioner Dr Ashok Bhan said.

He said the authority gave its confirmation to attach the property of the officials after scrutinizing the material evidence collected during the investigation of the case, and gave a hearing to the accused officer.

The designated authority having satisfied himself with the evidence collected by the Investigating Officer and having heard the accused, confirmed the attachment order of the tainted property acquired by the accused through corrupt means.

The confirmation order was issued on 25.7.2006 in terms of Sec 8b (3) of amended prevention of ''Corruption Act 2006,'' he said today.

He said section 8(b) of amended Act provides that the Investigating Officer of State Vigilance Organization shall take prior approval of Commissioner of Vigilance for attachment of any property, under the act and shall inform the designated authority within 48 hours of such attachment.

The designated authority confirms or revokes the attachment order, after giving an opportunity to the person whose property is being attached, to give his defence.

Dr Bhan said Jammu and Kashmir is the first state in the country to have such a law to attach immovable property acquired by tainted officials through corrupt practices.

He said creation of 12 posts of additional district development commissioners to monitor developmental activities had made intentions clear that the internal vigilance is of paramount importance if the citizens have to fully reap the harvest of developmental activities.

Dr Bhan said that VO has proposal of posting full time departmental vigilane Officer in some corruption prone departments and creation of an administrative tribunal to carry out departmental inquiry against lapses by the government.

He lauded the citizens cooperation in the war against corruption and said so far 29 cases have been registered against government officials after they were arrested accepting bribe during the first six months of this year.

UNI BAS SY KP1651