‘Corruption a norm now’: Opposition attacks BJP govt, citing CAG report

Dehradun: The opposition on Sunday intensified its attack on the BJP govt in Uttarakhand, alleging rising corruption, worsening law and order, and a "directionless" state budget during the ongoing assembly session.Addressing a press conference at the assembly complex in Dehradun, leader of opposition Yashpal Arya said the state's governance and administrative situation was becoming "increasingly worrying". He alleged that corruption had ceased to be an exception and had instead become "a norm" in the functioning of govt departments. Other senior congress party leaders, including Pritam Singh, Qazi Nizamuddin, Vikram Singh Negi and Lakhpat Singh Butola, were also present at the press conference.Arya claimed that despite the govt's slogan of "zero corruption", complaints were surfacing at multiple levels, including in recruitment processes, contract awards, implementation of schemes and transfer postings. In several cases, he said, "complaints had reached the chief minister and senior officials but no action was taken within a stipulated time, creating the impression that those involved in corruption were being protected".Citing reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Arya alleged that serious financial irregularities were flagged in several schemes between 2018 and 2024. He pointed to alleged mismanagement in projects such as the Dehradun Smart City project, power distribution and mining activities, saying these raised serious questions about the state's financial management and administrative functioning.The opposition leader also expressed concern over the law and order situation, claiming that incidents of crime had increased since 2022. Referring to recent murder cases in Dehradun, he said repeated incidents within a short span had created a sense of insecurity among residents.Arya further questioned the govt over rising cases of crimes against women, cybercrime and other serious offences. In many cases, he alleged, victims were struggling to get justice and the neutrality and accountability of the police were being questioned.Criticising the state budget, Arya said it failed to address key challenges facing Uttarakhand, including rising debt, thousands of vacant govt posts, migration from hill areas, farmers' concerns and rural development.He added that stronger policy measures and budgetary provisions were needed for the development of Gairsain, strengthening healthcare services, generating employment for youth and boosting farmers' incomes.