Rs9b recovered from corrupt officials in Gujranwala last year

GUJRANWALA: In a drive against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Establishment arrested 357 government officers and officials, including 45 gazetted officers, during the last year and recovered more that Rs 9 billion from them.

Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, ACE Regional Director Zohaib Mushtaq said that the ACE officers investigated total 3,098 inquiries and also decided 991 cases during the last year. During investigations, hundreds of officers and officials of various government departments were found guilty, he added.

He said that the ACE teams arrested 85 proclaimed offenders last year while 66 accused were arrested red-handed while receiving bribe from the citizens. He said that the ACE authorities also got registered 166 FIRs against the corrupt elements. He said that the ACE teams in result of strict action got state land retrieved from grabbers at different areas.

The ACE director said that the ACE had introduced the App to stop corruption from the society and every citizen could easily download it in the cellphone and lodge complaints against the corrupt elements.

CRACKDOWN ON PROFITEERS: Total 8,369 shopkeepers and traders were fined Rs 17,846,462 for profiteering during the month of December. Similarly, 195 FIRs were got registered against those involved in overcharging, hoarding and other offences while 115 persons were arrested. This was said by Commissioner Zahid Akhtar Zaman in a video link meeting on price control, which was chaired by Provincial Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal.

The commissioner informed the minister that all directions by the Punjab government regarding relief to the consumers were being implemented in a letter and spirit.

He said that all price control magistrates of the division had been given a free hand to take action against influential traders and shopkeepers in the public interest. He said that it was the duty of the district administration to ensure provision of relief to the common man at any cost and performance of each district and price magistrate was being monitored closely at the Commissioner Office on regular basis.

The commissioner also informed the minister that Chief Secretary Azam Suleman had issued clear directions to all commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure implementation of the DC rates of fruit, vegetables, ghee, oil, sugar and other essential food items.

The commissioner said that maximum relief would be provided to the people and no leniency would be tolerated on the part of the price control magistrates in this regard.