AGARTALA, Oct 1 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar should learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how to tackle corruption in the state. Prime Minister Office (PMO) has created a list of 125 officers who are corrupt. The list will be sent to DoPT who will further give a VRS to the officers. The initiative taken by PMO deserves appreciation, an example for other states and union territories. Sarkar government been criticised for failing to take action against senior officials implicated in corruption scandals. No high-ranking official or political appointee had served a prison sentence despite investigations into numerous corruption scandals. Reportedly corruption in the state as "severe, well-known" and something that "cuts across many sectors".CM Sarkar and his government have repeatedly promised to stamp out corruption, but major corruption scandals resurface in govt. departments. Major corruption scandals that have hit the state, in which government officials were accused, but none were prosecuted.Meanwhile, crores of rupees were diverted from MGNREGA, NHRM,RMSA, SSA etc.None of the high-ranking government officials who managed the implicated offices have faced criminal sanction. Manik Sarkar should start removing all scam tainted high officials like DGP Nagraj (CBI chargesheeted in 2007, trial still on), Principal Secretary GSG Ayyangar (Multicrore Time Scandal Hyd, Vigilance probe) so that Tripura people will find some credibility in Manik's scam tainted administration.

It is also alleged that  those who testify against the powerful government officials are often intimidated and threatened. Political interference, patronage, lack of appointed personnel in anti-corruption institutions have also hampered efforts to fight graft.

Most often they have remained in office, untouched, while individuals working at the technical level have faced prosecution and, in some cases, jail time.

Corruption in the state  had mainly impacted ordinary people, as money intended for public services including life-saving treatment or infrastructure projects have all but been misappropriated.

Many  rural schools in the state remain in a poor state,the health system is ailing, with more teachers and  doctors preferring to work in  the capital  where they can earn extra.

If Manik Sarkar  government is committed to fighting corruption, it must strengthen the protections afforded to investigators, prosecutors and witnesses.