Probe corruption charges against all, J and K minister

Srinagar, Sep 10 (UNI) A senior minister in the Congress led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir today demanded setting up of a high leval committee to probe into the allegations against ministers, politicians and bureaucrats in the state.

There is an urgent need to take the people of the state into confidence on the issue of relocation of forest portfolio previously held by Qazi Mohammad Afzal, a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, said minister for Transport Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF).

Mr Qazi resigned as the Housing and Urban development minister after Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stripped him of the Forest and Environment portfolio.

However, Mr Azad has rejected his resignation and asked him to continue. But Qazi Afzal has not yet rejoined as he wanted to know the why forest portfolio was stripped from him.

Hakeem Yaseen demanded for the constitution of a high level committee to probe into the complaints against all the political leaders, ministers and bureaucrats about their involvement in reported malpractices.

He said that government should also implement its agenda to root out the corruption from the state administration.

Several steps have already been taken in this behalf, he added.

Addressing a public meeting at Makahama in the central Kashmir district of Budgam he reiterated that a solution to the Kashmir issue could be found only through tripartite talks.

He urged to continue the dialogue process and stressed the need for the involvement of all political leaders of various thoughts in it to resolve all the issues amicably.

He exhorted upon India and Pakistan to take advantage of the present conducive situation for bringing peace and prosperity into the valley.

The Minister also said that the government under the leadership of Mr Azad has prioritised safeguard of human rights in the state adding that the steps taken in this direction reflect the concern of the government in upholding the human rights.

He stated that the government is committed for implementing its Common Minimum Programme (CMP) adding that speedy and equitable development of all the regions of the state wass the top agenda of the present regime.

UNI