Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister accused of earning more property than his income, court will give verdict after cabinet’s decision

In the case of Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi being accused of acquiring property disproportionate to his income, the court of Special Judge (Vigilance) Manish Mishra has asked the Council of Ministers to take a decision. The court has requested the Council of Ministers to inform the court about the decision taken by October 8. The court has fixed October 19 as the date for hearing the case.

RTI activist and advocate Vikesh Negi had filed an application in the court of Special Judge (Vigilance) Manish Mishra about two months ago, accusing Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi of acquiring property disproportionate to his income. In this, the Vigilance Establishment was requested to register a case against the Agriculture Minister and investigate. The court had sought a report from the Vigilance Establishment in this regard.

During the hearing in the court on Tuesday in the case, the Vigilance Establishment also presented a letter along with its report. It was also told that this letter was sent to the Personnel and Vigilance Department by the Vigilance Establishment on July 8. After this, the Secretary of the Council of Ministers (Secrecy Department) informed that this matter has been sent to the Council of Ministers for investigation and taking appropriate decision.

The Vigilance Establishment informed that the Council of Ministers is the highest body to take decision in the matter related to public servant. A time period of three months is fixed for this, which is ending on October 8. In such a situation, passing any order before the stipulated time will not be justified. On this, the court has asked the Council of Ministers to take a decision on the stipulated time and inform the court.

The government has to respond to the letter sent by the court. I have sent the information of my entire property to the government. Whenever a candidate contests elections, he compulsorily provides complete information of his income and expenditure to the Election Office.

– Ganesh Joshi, Agriculture Minister