Himachal adopts 'zero tolerance' for graft: CM

Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday said that the State Government has adopted zero-tolerance towards corruption and it is up to accounts services officers to ensure that each and every penny of the public money was utilised for the very purpose it has been provided for.

While speaking on the second inter-state conference of SAS officers Association on the theme ‘Role and Challenges for SAS Officers’ here, he said that the State Government was committed to speedy development and for providing efficient and responsive administration to its people. Besides, financial discipline and transparency in financial dealings have been priority of my Government, he added.

To ensure better fiscal management and to achieve systematic and planned development there is a need for check and balances in the system besides utilising the funds earmarked for particular works and schemes, said the Chief Minister.“SAS officers should ensure that the programmes and schemes targeted for welfare of the people are implemented in right earnest”, said Virbhadra, directing SAS officers to work with devotion and sincerity and stressed on the need to adhere to perfect accountability and maintenance of professional standards.

 It has been brought to my knowledge that more than 50 entry grade posts of SAS cadre officers are lying vacant due to non availability of eligible candidates. I would like to assure that the matter would be looked into sympathetically, said the Chief Minister.

To ensure transparency, efficiency and better implementation of the programmes and schemes, the SAS officers are required to be posted in all such departments and Public Sector Units which have huge budget and heavy staff strength, he stressed.The CM also released a souvenir and launched website of SAS officers Association on the occasion.Principal Secretary, Finance, Dr. Shrikant Baldi, while speaking on the occasion said that SAS officers play a pivotal role in managing finances of various departments, boards and corporation and termed it as a backbone of fiscal management.