Dhami hits back at ex-CMs over corruption allegation
DEHRADUN: Following questions raised by his predecessors -- Trivendra Singh Rawat and Tirath Singh Rawat -- over corruption in the state, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said the corruption in Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) was prevailing since 2014 when it was formed until he took action, indirectly questioning their tenure as chief ministers.
Dhami was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a nursing college at Kothagi in Rudraprayag district on Monday.
Last week, the two former chief ministers had given media statements about corruption in the state, giving fodder to the state unit of the Congress to attack the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
The BJP has been ruling the state since March 2017 and secured a second term earlier this year. During its first term, Trivendra Singh Rawat held the CM post from March 18, 2017 to March 10,2021. He was succeeded by Tirath Singh Rawat who took over on March 10, 2021 and resigned from the post on July 2,2021. Dhami became the third CM within four years and the BJP government completed its tenure under him. In the assembly elections held earlier this year, Dhami failed to secure his Khatima seat but still became the CM and subsequently won a bypoll from Champawat in June.
“We have taken a pledge that Uttarakhand should be among advanced states in the country. For the same, we have been taking some stern measures and trying to bring a new work culture in the state. We would eradicate corruption at its root. You must have seen that when irregularities in government recruitments came to light, we took strict action. These irregularities aren’t new but were going on in the state from 2014-15 since the formation of the ayog [UKSSSC]. When it came to my notice, I asked the police to conduct a preliminary inquiry to know about the truth and why allegations of irregularities crop up every time. In the preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that irregularities have also happened earlier too. I immediately asked the special task force to look into the matter. One after another, the police arrested 45 accused for the irregularities.
We made it clear that those who committed wrongdoings will not be spared and their place is behind the bars,” he said.
“I am the son of a soldier and I know the youth go through a lot of struggle to get a job. Education is the most valuable thing that a poor son and daughter have. If this right is snatched away and recruitment procedures are dominated by criminals, those children and their parents would be left with nothing”, he said.
“Until the last culprit of the paper leak is arrested, the investigation will go on. Nobody can stop those who are eligible, capable and deserving to clear the exams.The upcoming exams would be held with transparency. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to provide 10 lakh jobs, we are working to fill 19,000 posts in various government departments. To ensure the process of recruitment is not hindered by paper leak, we entrusted the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission instead of UKSSSC to conduct the exams. In October, the UKPSC already has an exam calendar. It was necessary to take such a step so that none can even think of committing such an act,” Dhami said.
Last week, Trivendra Singh Rawat while talking to reporters, had said, “Corruption makes the society hollow. It’s not good for a new state like Uttarakhand whose financial resources are limited. We spent the total revenue on salaries. If corruption would persist like this, the state would face a challenge in future.”
His statement came on the heels of Uttarakhand police’s economic offences wing (EOW) deciding to investigate the allegations of money laundering of around ₹200 crore through a company owned by the wife of a close aide of him. The statement was seen as a reaction to the latest
development. He, however, denied the claim and termed it a “conspiracy”.
Then, Tirath Singh Rawat also made a controversial statement about his own government and said, “nothing happens in the state without commission.”
“Without percentage (commission), nothing happens. Even though I should not say this. But I don’t hesitate. We should have brought the commission culture to zero after separation from Uttar Pradesh. The commission was 20 per in undivided Uttar Pradesh. We began with 20 per cent, and it should have been brought down to zero ....... but what happened. It’s unfortunate. I don’t blame anyone for it but it’s a mentality that persists and needs to be changed. Until we won’t have a feeling that it is our family and state, nothing good can happen in this regard. Public representatives can’t save themselves. We punish the officials but fail to act against the real culprits behind them. Both officials and public representatives are equally responsible.”
Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni said, “CM Dhami in his heart knows that corruption has increased in Uttarakhand under his rule, and what his predecessors are saying is actually right. Dhami can’t turn a blind eye to the issue and should take the former CMs’ statements as guidance. The CM’s fresh statement only shows the blame game on each other regimes. He should rather show through his actions, not words. The chowkidaar can’t cry chor chor, he should take action.”
BJP state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said, “We have a zero tolerance against corruption and the action in UKSSSC paper leak case proved it.”