Hyderabad|India|June'2009: Chief Minister Dr.Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy has assured the Anti-Corruption Bureau that there would be absolutely no political interference in its efforts to curb corruption, which has become a bane for the society.

“I am giving you a free hand to deal firmly with corrupt officials. Don’t spare anyone, however influential and mighty they might be. You continue with your good work of conducting raids and trappings on corrupt officials,” the Chief Minister told ACB Director General and other top officials of the department at a review meeting on Sunday.

Stating that corruption by a few individuals has been tarnishing the image of the state government, Dr Reddy said he was very much disturbed over the reports that corruption was high in some quarters. “Our government has taken up several welfare and developmental programmes. While I can proudly say that our official machinery is, by and large, efficient, energetic and service-oriented, a few officials indulging in corrupt practices have spoiled the good work done by the government to an extent, giving scope to the Opposition parties making politically-motivated and baseless allegations about large-scale corruption”, he said.

The Chief Minister said he had commissioned a survey by an independent agency on corruption in some key sectors. He had ordered for a further inquiry into the report submitted by the agency. Once it is confirmed, the report will be handed over to the ACB for further action.

The Chief Minister complimented the ACB officials for the continuous traps and raids and booking of cases even during the elections and asked them to continue the same if needed more vigorously. He recalled that Andhra Pradesh was declared as one of the State with least corruption by a World recognised Organisation--The Transparency International.

The ACB director general informed the Chief Minister that the number of traps laid and disproportionate assets cases booked registered a significant increase during 2004-08 compared to 1995-99 and 2000-04. The ACB achieved higher conviction rate in 2008 compared to earlier periods. The number of trap cases booked during the five year (1995-99) was 575 as against 925 cases booked during the last five years, i.e. from 2004-08. The average number of trap cases booked per year works out to 115 and 185 during 1995 to 1999 and 2004 to 2008 respectively.

The percentage of convictions secured in Courts has improved radically during 2004-08 compared to 1995-99 and 2000-2004. The number of persons convicted during 2004-08 was 566 as against a total of 110 persons convicted during the five years period, i.e. 1995-99 and 185 persons during 2000-04. The percentage of convictions secured rose from 47.45% during 2000-04, to 65.92% in 2008.

The ACB in Andhra Pradesh undertakes highest number of Disproportionate Assets cases compared to all other neighbouring States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Similarly its performance in trap cases also is very impressive compared to neighbouring States.