3 secretariat staff suspended by Yogi on charges of graft
Three secretariat staff attached to Uttar Pradesh ministers were suspended on charges of graft following a sting operation by a news channel. They were suspended on orders of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who also directed officials to register a police case against them, said a state government release. As per the CM's direction, the matter will be probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
SIT directed to submit its report within 10 days
The SIT will have to submit its report within 10 days after taking statements of all parties in the case, said the release. The SIT will be led by Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone, Rajiv Krishna. Directives have also been issued to the secretariat administration for review of such matters so that such cases do not recur, it said.
Earlier Yogi had clarified he has zero-tolerance policy towards corruption
According to media reports, a sting operation was conducted by a TV channel purportedly showing three personal secretaries of ministers allegedly seeking bribe in return for favors such as transfers and issuing of contracts. The chief minister had earlier issued clear instructions to adopt complete honesty in the government's functioning, and clarified that the government had a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the release said.
Video shows Kashyap seeking Rs. 40 lakh for a transfer
In the sting operation, Om Prakash Kashyap, personal secretary of Backward Welfare Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar is purportedly seen seeking Rs. 40 lakh for a transfer. Rajbhar, who is a minister from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), said he has removed his personal secretary, and has also written a letter to the chief minister for stern action against Kashyap.
Others: Aide of MoS (Mining), personal secretary of MoS (Education)
In the same sting operation, an aide of Minister of State for Mining Archana Pandey, is shown allegedly striking a deal with the channel's reporter for getting him mining contracts in about six districts. Santosh Awasthi, personal secretary to the MoS Basic Education Sandeep Singh, is also seen allegedly working out a deal for a contract for books and seeking his own cut.
Reporter posed as a contractor for the sting operation
Sandeep Singh is the grandson of former UP CM and current Rajasthan-governor Kalyan Singh. The sting-operation also produced alleged recordings of a secretariat staff assuring the reporter, who posed as a contractor, that a school bag and uniform contract would be swung in his favor.
