Welcoming Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s call for stopping the percentage (PC) culture, the Odisha Krushak Mahasangha (OKM) has suggested to him to enact stringent laws to check corruption in the whole Government machinery.
“Giving instruction to different departments to stop corruption is a welcoming step. But without reforming existing laws or enacting new laws, corruption can’t be controlled,” OKM president Bibhudhendra Pratap Das said in a letter to the Chief Minister.
He suggested that all files be disposed of in a week’s time and, if neglected, salaries of concerned Government staffs be deducted proportionately to the days of delay. If any Minister, Chairperson and officer found guilty, he may be demoted in rank and compulsorily retired. Similarly, there should be a provision to give additional increment and promotion benefit to officials who would dispose of files in seven days in lines with a Bill passed in the Delhi Assembly, the letter read.
Das, a former three-time MlA, further suggested that lifetime should be fixed for all construction works and bank guarantees kept from contractors to recover damanges, if happens. And there should be a punishment provision for executant officers from whom party of cost of losses may be recovered from his salary and pension.
“Tender should not be decided taking present market value of materials and 20 per cent profit should be given to contractors in all tender works,” Das suggested.
Das, a former MlA, also proposed that district Collectors should not be involved in development work but they may be empowered to enquire corruption matters and take action. He mentioned in the letter that former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang had taken an all-party MlAs’ meeting in this regard.
Indira Awas and Biju Pucca Ghar should be allotted to beneficiaries by lottery system and payment may be given through bank within a fixed time limit. The decision taken by the Revenue Department to give legal status to land passbook be implemented early, Das said.