Chandigarh; Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema has expressed his commitment to eradicating corruption and said that the policy of zero tolerance against corruption of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is the only mantra to ensure a transparent and accountable administrative structure.
He said that the department has taken immediate action in the case of Subhadesh Kaur, a senior assistant posted at the District Treasury Office, Amritsar, who was caught red-handed while allegedly taking bribes yesterday, and immediately suspended him from his job.
The Finance Minister said that this step is also part of the wider efforts to establish an administrative structure that is transparent and accountable to the citizens of Punjab.
He said that the arrest in this case took place on March 12, 2024, and while taking this departmental action, the said employee was suspended from service with immediate effect.
He said that the department is committed to ensuring a thorough investigation into the matter. He said that during the period of suspension, the headquarters of this staff has been fixed at the District Treasury Office, Tarn Taran.
Finance Minister Cheema made it clear that the government's zero-tolerance policy is not just a slogan but a concrete action plan. He said that those involved in financial manipulation and corruption will face the full force of the law, irrespective of their position or status.
He said that now the days of the corrupt are numbered as the government is actively investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, which gives a strong indication that the era of accountability has begun.
Seeking people's cooperation in the mission of creating a corruption-free Punjab, the Finance Minister said that everyone has a role to play in upholding integrity and curbing corruption.
He said that reporting any suspected corrupt activities, following ethical standards in personal and professional conduct, and advocating for transparency are some of the ways in which the general public can support the government's initiative.