The Rajasthan Government has ordered an inquiry by a high-powered committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and ex-officio Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) into reports of corruption in the allotment of MLA Local Area Development (LAD) funds involving some sitting legislators, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Saturday.
In a communiqué issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Sharma said, “A leading newspaper today published a report about corruption in the Vidhayak Nidhi, which is a matter of grave concern. My government follows an absolute zero-tolerance policy towards corruption by public servants. Nobody, irrespective of their status or influence, will be spared if found guilty.”
Accordingly, the Chief Minister said he has directed Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and Director General of Police Rajiv Sharma to conduct an inquiry through a high-powered committee headed by the CVC.
Chief Minister Sharma also shared details of the matter on his social media handle on ‘X’.
According to a report published in a leading vernacular newspaper, at least three sitting Rajasthan MLAs—Rewant Ram Danga (BJP), Anita Jatav (Congress), and Ritu Banawat (Independent)—have allegedly taken or demanded bribes in the form of commissions.
Expressing concern over the report, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that, besides Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, State Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani should also take cognizance of the matter and ensure a high-level probe.
Leader of the Opposition in Rajasthan, Tika Ram Jully, said the matter is serious and called for an impartial inquiry against all those involved, irrespective of party affiliation. Referring to Congress MLA Anita Jatav, Jully said that she has been served a notice seeking an explanation regarding her position in the matter.