Rajasthan government has set up a committee headed by additional chief secretary home and chief vigilance commissioner Bhaskar Sawant to probe into the alleged corruption charges levelled against MLAs – Rewant Ram Danga (BJP, Khinvsar) Anita Jatav (Congress, Hindaun) and Ritu Banawat ( Independent, Bayana) – following a sting operation by leading Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar. Other mender of the committee are panchayatiraj secretary Jogaram, finance (budget) secretary Rajan Vishal and joint secretary (home) Maneesh Goyal.
The committee will submit its report within 15 days. Meanwhile the state government has frozen the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) account of all three MLAs.
What is the case?
Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar conducted a sting operation on three MLAs wherein the reporter in the guise of a businessman approached these MLAs and offered them commission upto 40% against sanctioning work in MLALAD fund. In the sting video, MLAs appeared to fall prey to the bait and were caught seeking bribe on camera.
The sting has created ripples in Rajasthan politics. Since MLAs represented ruling BJP and Congress both along with an independent, parties have called for a fair probe into the allegations. While both the political parties are investigating into the matter internally, seeking explanation from respective MLAs, state government too swung into action handing over investigation to senior IAS officer Bhaskar Sawant.
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