It sounds bizarre that various Departments of the Government play seek and hide game with the State High Court when the latter seeks information about action taken against allegations of corruption of state functionaries. While hearing a PIL case, the High Court came to know abbot 147 cases of alleged corruption in which departmental inquiries had been ordered. The High Court summoned the General Administration Department Secretary to submit status report of the departmental inquiries since the GAD is the Nodal Department where all information is centered. It is found that the Departments where inquiries were made into allegations have been taking the orders of the High Court cursorily and show less eagerness to deliver the goods as is desired.
More surprisingly, the GAD has been no less evasive than the departments concerned in its status report to the Bench of the High Court. It has been resorting to verbal jugglery and not giving a forthright reply to the questions asked by the High Court. The truth is the corruption is rampant in the administrative structure of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Though, Corruption in this country is deep rooted, nobody should think that it can be uprooted once for all. However, that does not mean that nothing should be done to try for its eradication. There are clear and crystal service rules which can be and should be pressed into service when a case of corruption is identified. Anybody at any position and in any rank can be questioned about matters of propriety. The Government should have the will to cure the disease of corruption. Once the functionaries at various levels are convinced that there is accountability nod they cannot escape scot-free, a change in their thinking and behavior will take place.
We have seen that the High Court has been taking a serious view of Government’s inability to enforce the rule of law in many cases. This is a matter of regret that the administration should think of undermining the judiciary. The delicate relationship between the three organs of the State has to be maintained.
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