TII seeks high-level probe into 'Lalitgate'

Transparency International India (TII) today demanded a high-level probe into alleged conflict of interest in Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj helping tainted former IPL chief Lalit Modi.
TII is the India chapter of Transparency International, the civil society organisation that campaigns against corruption.
"Transparency International India demands a high-level enquiry into alleged conflict of interest in relation to undue favour given by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to former IPL chief Lalit Modi," TII said in a statement.
The available document in public space "clearly" shows that both Vasundhara Raje and Swaraj have favoured Lalit Modi for "personal gains", the release said.

Incidentally, TII demands came on a day the government rejected opposition Congress party's demand for resignation of Swaraj and HRD Minister Smriti Irani over 'Lalitgate' and 'fake degree' controversies, saying its ministers need not resign.
"Our ministers do not have to resign. This is not their (Congress') government. This is NDA government," Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said earlier in the day.

The TII also demanded that the government must come out with a transparent policy for appointment of standing counsel for the state and legal counsel for governmental departments.
"It has been a practice to appoint kith and kins of ministers and bureaucrats for the said position and this practice not only kill the merit part but also promote corruption in longer run," it added.

"The present NDA government has came into the power on mandate related to anti-corruption and good governance. The PM in his various statements has committed to policy of zero tolerance to corruption now its high time for him to act and show translate his commitment into action," TII said.