Himachal Pradesh tightens laws to fight corruption
In the wake of the ongoing national outcry against corruption, Himachal Pradesh has been quick to make laws that aims to check misappropriation of public money and assets and ensure timely delivery of services to the public. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal says the laws were required to nail corrupt officials and make them accountable to the people and stated that the current set of laws was insufficient to check corruption.
The state assembly, during its eight-day monsoon session that adjourned earlier this week, passed the Himachal Pradesh Special Courts (Attachment and Confiscation of Property) Bill and the Himachal Pradesh Public Services Guarantee Bill.
The former aims to provide speedy trial in corruption cases and for confiscation of ill-gotten money and property of the public servants while the latter will ensure time-bound delivery of services to the public.
Dhumal further added setting up of special courts to dispose of the trial within a year's time and appeal against the orders would lie only with the high court.