Was told I will get Rs 300-cr bribe if I clear deals of Ambani RSS-linked man Former JK Guv
New Delhi Oct 21 PTI Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has claimed that he was told he would get Rs 300-crore bribe if he cleared two files belonging to Ambani and an RSS-affiliated man during his tenure but he cancelled the deals and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting his decision by saying there is no need to compromise on corruption Malik who currently holds the gubernatorial post in Meghalaya also supported the ongoing farmer agitation against the Centres farm laws and said he is ready to leave his post and stand with them if their protest continues After going to Kashmir two files came to me for clearance one belonging to Ambani and another to an RSS-affiliated man who was a minister in the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government and claimed to be very close to the prime minister I was informed by secretaries in both the departments that there is a scandal involved and I accordingly cancelled both the deals The secretaries told me that you will get Rs 150 crore each for clearing the files but I told them that I have come with five kurta-pajamas and will leave with that only Malik told a gathering at an event in Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan A video of his speech has gone viral Malik did not elaborate on the two files but he was apparently referring to a file related to the roll-out of a group health insurance policy for government employees pensioners and accredited journalists for which the government had tied up with Reliance General Insurance part of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group In October 2018 Malik who was then the governor of JK had cancelled the tie-up with Reliance General Insurance Company for providing the group health insurance to employees as there was some bungling in it Two days later the governor approved foreclosure of the contract with Reliance General Insurance and referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for examining the entire process to see whether it was conducted in a transparent and fair manner As a precaution I took time from the prime minister and briefed him about the two files and the scandal as the people involved were taking his name I straightaway told him PM that I am ready to leave the post but if I stay back I am not going to clear the files he claimed and praised Modi for saying that there is no need to compromise on corruption Malik also alleged that Kashmir is the most corrupt place in the country In the whole country four to five per cent commission is sought but in Kashmir 15 per cent commission is demanded he said without explaining but added that under his leadership there was no big case of corruption reported in JK and that he even declined a favour to his relatives in the valley He said after his return from Kashmir he made a statement in favour of the agitating farmers He said that he being poor is his strength and he can fight any powerful man in the country If the farmer agitation continues I will leave my post and stand with them without caring for anyone It is possible when I have done no wrong and do not have any wrong item in my wardrobe I am satisfied that I have not done anything wrong he said Advising newly recruited officers not to budge under pressure and work honestly for the betterment of society he asked them to remain alert against their wives who spoil everything by demanding more and prompting their husbands to indulge in corrupt practices The pressure will come and you will also feel good by taking bribe In Jaipur there are officers who did not even have thatched houses in their native places have built palatial houses But if you remain steadfast and honest you can fight anyone Malik said The former JK governor said he does not have a house to live in after his retirement but I do not have any worry that I have no house Malik said he had been an MLA an MP a union minister but the people from Rajasthan who have a lot of money would come to his place and be surprised on seeing his small accommodation PTI TAS SKL SMN SMN
New Delhi Oct 21 PTI Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has claimed that he was told he would get Rs 300-crore bribe if he cleared two files belonging to Ambani and an RSS-affiliated man during his tenure but he cancelled the deals and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting his decision by saying there is no need to compromise on corruption Malik who currently holds the gubernatorial post in Meghalaya also supported the ongoing farmer agitation against the Centres farm laws and said he is ready to leave his post and stand with them if their protest continues After going to Kashmir two files came to me for clearance one belonging to Ambani and another to an RSS-affiliated man who was a minister in the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government and claimed to be very close to the prime minister I was informed by secretaries in both the departments that there is a scandal involved and I accordingly cancelled both the deals The secretaries told me that you will get Rs 150 crore each for clearing the files but I told them that I have come with five kurta-pajamas and will leave with that only Malik told a gathering at an event in Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan A video of his speech has gone viral Malik did not elaborate on the two files but he was apparently referring to a file related to the roll-out of a group health insurance policy for government employees pensioners and accredited journalists for which the government had tied up with Reliance General Insurance part of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group In October 2018 Malik who was then the governor of JK had cancelled the tie-up with Reliance General Insurance Company for providing the group health insurance to employees as there was some bungling in it Two days later the governor approved foreclosure of the contract with Reliance General Insurance and referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for examining the entire process to see whether it was conducted in a transparent and fair manner As a precaution I took time from the prime minister and briefed him about the two files and the scandal as the people involved were taking his name I straightaway told him PM that I am ready to leave the post but if I stay back I am not going to clear the files he claimed and praised Modi for saying that there is no need to compromise on corruption Malik also alleged that Kashmir is the most corrupt place in the country In the whole country four to five per cent commission is sought but in Kashmir 15 per cent commission is demanded he said without explaining but added that under his leadership there was no big case of corruption reported in JK and that he even declined a favour to his relatives in the valley He said after his return from Kashmir he made a statement in favour of the agitating farmers He said that he being poor is his strength and he can fight any powerful man in the country If the farmer agitation continues I will leave my post and stand with them without caring for anyone It is possible when I have done no wrong and do not have any wrong item in my wardrobe I am satisfied that I have not done anything wrong he said Advising newly recruited officers not to budge under pressure and work honestly for the betterment of society he asked them to remain alert against their wives who spoil everything by demanding more and prompting their husbands to indulge in corrupt practices The pressure will come and you will also feel good by taking bribe In Jaipur there are officers who did not even have thatched houses in their native places have built palatial houses But if you remain steadfast and honest you can fight anyone Malik said The former JK governor said he does not have a house to live in after his retirement but I do not have any worry that I have no house Malik said he had been an MLA an MP a union minister but the people from Rajasthan who have a lot of money would come to his place and be surprised on seeing his small accommodation PTI TAS SKL SMN SMN
