Accused Minister Arrested by Punjab Police
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (Photo/Twitter- @BhagwantMann)
New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today sacked state’s Health Minister Vijay Singla over corruption charges.
Singla is accused of demanding one percent commission on tenders. According to reports, Singla was arrested by the anti-corruption branch of the Punjab Police soon after he was dismissed.
The Punjab CM broke the news on Twitter and said: “Aam Aadmi Party was born to establish an honest system…
@ArvindKejriwal ji has always said that we will not tolerate corruption whether it is our own or of others’.
Immediately after getting the evidence of corruption against the Health Minister, he was dismissed.. also ordered the FIR”
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lauded Bhagwant Mann for the action against the Punjab Minister.
In a tweet, Kejriwal said: “Proud of you Bhagwant. Your action has brought tears to my eyes. Whole nation today feels proud of AAP”
A government official had 10 days ago complained to the Chief Minister’s office about corruption by Singla. The Chief Minister personally assured the official that he would stand with him and he need not fear any Minister. An operation was then executed with help from the official which clearly revealed that the Minister and those close to him were demanding a one per cent commission. After call recordings and other evidence were collected, Mann took action and also warned officials that corruption will not be tolerated, NDTV reported.
This is the second example of a Chief Minister taking strict action against own cabinet colleague.
Arvind Kejriwal had become the first Chief Minister in 2015 when he had sacked one of Ministers in the Delhi government over corruption charges. (PW News)
