Property of corrupt officials to be confiscated in Bihar

PATNA - The Bihar government can now confiscate the property and ill-gotten wealth of corrupt public servants, including politicians and officials, official sources said Wednesday.

Special courts will be constituted for hearing the corruption cases against public servants as per the provisions of the Bihar Special Courts Act, which was passed Tuesday by the state cabinet, joint secretary of cabinet coordination department, B.K. Singh, told reporters.

The Act enhances the powers of the state government in dealing with corruption cases involving public servants on a speedy and effective basis. It enables the state to confiscate the assets of corrupt government officials.

The Act defined bureaucrats, politicians and others who draw salary from the state exchequer as public servants.

The Bihar Special Court Bill was approved by the central government last month.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had admitted time and again that rampant corruption had hit the implementation of development projects and welfare schemes for poorest of the poor in the state.

The state vigilance department has arrested about 325 government officials, including 50 gazetted employees, on bribery charges in the last four years as part of its anti-corruption drive.