‘ACB set to launch more cases against high-level functionaries’

SRINAGAR: The names of many high ranking people have sprung up in the ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the instances of cornering high-value prime land in Jammu and Srinagar cities by misusing the now-repealed the Jammu and Kashmir State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, 2001, commonly known as Roshni scheme, the government said on Friday, while mentioning that the anti-graft body will launch ‘many more cases against high level functionaries.’
This significant statement came as Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the functioning of the Anti Corruption Bureau at a high-level meeting at the Rajbhavan which was attended by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, and Director ACB Anand Jain.
Governor also launched ‘www.jkacb.nic.in’, website of the ACB on the occasion.
In the meeting, Governor Malik was briefed that the ACB during the last one year has done tremendous work in tackling corruption in J&K Bank where huge irregularities have been found in laundering, tendering and appointment processes.
Further in order to follow up on the wealth of information acquired during the raids on J&K Bank, the ACB has obtained the services of specialists in white collar crime from CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Delhi Police. Again in this case detailed investigation has led to the prosecution of high ranking officials, Malik was told.
On Roshni scheme, Governor Malik was informed that many high ranking people are allegedly involved in the scam of which a detailed investigation is being carried out by the ACB, as ordered by Malik himself last month.
“This is part of the Government’s drive to minimise and eliminate corruption in J&K and provide good governance,” an official handout issued by the Raj Bhavan said referring to Roshni scheme.
The Jammu and Kashmir government in 1996 launched the Roshni scheme to vest land ownership rights on people who were occupying state land by paying a part of its assessed value towards the public exchequer. The aim of the scheme was to regularise illegal occupants while generating funds for construction of power projects in the state.
The law envisaged enriching the public exchequer by Rs 25,000 crore by transferring 20 lakh 'kanals' of land to its occupants. One 'kanal' is around 506 square metre.
On September 13, Malik had ordered a probe by the ACB on a spate of complaints of obtaining prime pieces of land by irregular or fraudulent implementation of Roshni scheme.
While referring the investigation of all such matters in Jammu and Srinagar districts, the Governor had instructed the ACB to conclude the proceedings speedily and ensure that any offender particularly beneficiaries are brought to book quickly.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Governor was briefed about initiatives to register FIR and investigate important cases and the ACB’s endeavour to secure maximum conviction in this year.
He was informed that 04 convictions have been secured till date.
Governor also launched www.jkacb.nic.in, website of the ACB.
“He complimented the Bureau for wide use of information technology to ensure free flow of credible information which is a mandatory requirement for efficient functioning of any Anti Corruption body,” the handout said.
Governor noted that this website will enable the ACB to share its activities with the public and urged everyone to freely register their complaints relating to corruption through this website which has an inbuilt mechanism for lodging online complaints. He re-iterated his commitment towards providing corruption free, transparent and accountable governance.

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