HT : Ministers rated most corrupt : Aug 28, 2007

Ministers rated most corrupt

 Dharmendra Jore
Mumbai



THE ROT begins at the top, feel Maharashtra's gazetted officers about the
growing corruption in the government.
The Federation of Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers conducted an opinion
poll last week in which 240 office bearers of all affiliated units (from all
government departments) participated. A whopping 84 per cent voted the
ministers as most corrupt.
They say corruption ranks highest at the ministers' offices followed closely
by their own clan and the secretary level officials. The officers were asked
41 questions related to political and social issues.
Federation Secretary G.D. Kulthe said the opinion poll didn't mean any
insult. "The opinion is very objective and it helps us understand the under
current from the ground level," he said, adding: "I sincerely hope that
everyone (including the voter) learns a lesson."
Reacting to the poll, anti-corruption activist G.R. Vora appreciated the
move. "I still feel that it's like a pot calling the kettle black. The
non-IAS officers are equally to blame for the growing corruption."
The strong and frank opinion holds much significance because it comes
directly from the men representing over one lakh Class I and Class II
officers, who actually run the government administration, on field.
Vora said the society would be happy the day these officers start rejecting
politician's illegal recommendations. "After all, these officials hold key
to everything. They should first try to erase their name from the corrupt
officers' list."
dharmendra.jore@hindustantimes.com CORRUPTION BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Highest: 54%, Lower: 23%, Negligible: 23% CORRUPTION AT THE MINISTER LEVEL
Highest: 84%, Lower: 8%, Negligible: 8% Corruption AT SECRETARY LEVEL
Highest: 50%, Lower: 33%, Negligible:



Publication : HT; Section: Metro; Pg : 5; Date : 28/8/07
URL
:http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=28_08_2007_005_004&typ=0&pub=264