Precious Kashmir Editorial Governor Malik fires another salvo

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik has dropped yet another bombshell by stating that he canceled two contracts involving Rs 300 crore as bribe. He made it public that corruption is rampant in Jammu and Kashmir and he wants to send at least seven officials to jail for their alleged involvement in corruption.
Assertions of Governor Malik have opened a Pandora’s box as he has made it clear that stern measures are needed to tackle corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
One wonders why don’t such big scandals come to fore during the political regimes? Why do politicians push such matters under the carpet?
If the system has to be corruption free then the cleansing has to start from the top. Besides the ‘corrupt’ officials, whom the Governor is talking about the politicians who have patronized them also need to be punished.
Governor Malik’s assertion that businessmen from outside are not ready to invest in Jammu and Kashmir due to high percentage fixed by the officials as commission for awarding the contract is a big revelation. At present J&K is directly under Centre’s rule and these scandals can be probed. Then what’s stopping the Governor Malik from exposing the rot in the system. He has got all the investigating agencies at his disposal. He can ask them to identify the black sheep so that a clear message is sent to all that corruption won’t be tolerated. If the Governor’s administration decides to act against the corrupt elements it would prove to be a lesson for the politicians, who make tall promises to attain the power. Time is running out Governor Malik needs to act before the Assembly elections are announced in the state.