BJP demands time-bound probe into ''loot'' in the North-East

New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI) Claiming that Congress chiefSonia Gandhi''s "tall promises" to curb corruption were proving"hollow", the BJP today alleged that "scandals and scams" tothe tune of Rs 58,000 crore had occurred in the North-East anddemanded a time-bound probe into them.

"Sonia Gandhi had made tall promises againstcorruption. They are so hollow that not only are the centralleaders corrupt, even the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruledstates are making money," BJP President Nitin Gadkari toldreporters here.

He released a report by his party''s "fact findingteam" on various "scams" taking place in the North-East. Thereport claimed that if the level of corruption in the regionwas quantified, it could be to the tune of Rs 58,000 crore.

"It is unfortunate that all the scandals and scams aretaking place in Congress-ruled states," he said.

The BJP leader said since Prime Minister ManmohanSingh represents the North-East in Parliament, it was his"responsibility" to check the scams which were hindering thepace of development in the region.

Gadkari said the report of the BJP team was based onevidence collected using the Right to Information.

He said while Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha andRajya Sabha would meet the Prime Minister in this regard, hewould personally lead a delegation to the President to submitthe report.

"Our demand is that government should conduct atime-bound probe into the loot in North-East by Congressgovernments," he said.

The BJP President said he would soon discuss thepending and upcoming CAG reports on North-East with partyleader M M Joshi who is heading Parliament''s Public AccountsCommittee.

"I would request him to take up the reports in PAC andissue necessary instructions to the government," he said.

The party also demanded setting up of special courtsto deal with the issue of corruption in the region to ensurespeedy disposal of cases.