Koda vows to fight corruption

Jamshedpur, Sep 27 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said the UPA government's priority will be to fight corruption, which ''prevailed'' during the previous NDA government in the state.

Talking to newsmen in his maiden tour as a Chief Minister in the steel city here, Mr Koda said the government would not spare those, who were involved in corruption.

''Our priority is to run a clean and corruption-free government, '' the Chief Minister asserted.

About the delay in the cabinet expansion, Mr Koda said due to compulsions of the coalition government it was getting delayed but things would fall in place very soon.

He, however, did not give any specific timeframe about the induction of four more ministers in his cabinet and allocation of portfolios.

''We are going to expand the Cabinet soon, '' he quipped.

To a question about availing of leave of state Governor Syed Sibtey Razi when the cabinet expansion was due, Mr Koda said, ''He may take leave anytime and one should not read too many things between the lines.'' When pointed out that domination of bureaucrats in the functioning of the government during the NDA regime in the state, Mr Koda said they should work as government servants and if anyone was found to commit ''excesses'', action would be initiated agaisnt the civil servant.

The chief minister said the government would review the mining lease agreement done by the Arjun Munda government and also give a thorough look in to the rehabilitation policy.

Mr Koda, who came here for the first time after becaming the chief minister, however, had to go thorough a tough time at Sonari airport as hundreds of UPA activists and leaders, which included JMM, Congress and the RJD, tried to welcome him and a chaotic situation prevailed.

But the situation turned unmanagable when congressmen led by the East Singhbhum district president Ravindra Kumar Jha sat before Mr Koda's car to draw his attention.

Police, however, took prompt action and dispersed the activists.

Mr Koda, who came here straight from Maithan to inaugurate puja pandals and other programmes, was accompanied by JMM supremo Shibu Soren.

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