Corruption no lesser menace than militancy: Azad

Jammu, Jan 6 (UNI) Increased corruption in Jammu and Kashmir is no lesser a menace than militancy, which is eating up state's economy, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today.

Addressing a Departmental Vigilance Officers conference, Mr Azad said his blood boils to observe that malignancy of corruption eats state's economy, puts entire development into shambles and deprives people from fruits of progress.

''How can we remain mute spectators to this injustice by vested interests at the cost of poor people,'' he said.

A forceful drive against corruption, supported with innovative piece of legislation giving enough teeth to anti-corruption movement was set in place to deal with corrupt elements strictly and also provide for confiscation of illgotten and disproportionate property of proven corrupt government employees, Mr Azad said.

However, need of the hour is to also check and book the elements in the society who abate and propagate corruption by way of inducements, he said.

''Unless everybody among us is sincere and committed for transparent and honest management of affairs for public good and acting as watchdog to identify corrupt practices the society cannot be purified from the evil and its evil affects'' the Chief Minister added.

UNI