15 former BSP ministers under Lokayukta scanner in UP

Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta NK Mehrotra on Saturday accused politicians, contractors and engineers of siphoning off funds alloted under JNNURM and said a probe was on into charges of corruption against 15 former ministers in Mayawati government and 37 ex-MLAs in this and several other schemes.

"Investigation into charges of corruption is underway against 15 former ministers and 37 ex-MLAs during BSP rule in JNNURM and other schemes," Mehrotra told reporters here.

"Maximum number of complaints are against former minister Nasimuddin Siddiqui, mostly related to amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income," he said.

Alleging that since funds alloted by the Centre under JNNURM have been swindled by politicians, contractors and engineers in UP, the amount required for road maintenance should either be charged from those who swindled the funds or the state government should bear the costs.

During the previous BSP rule in UP, no complaint in this regard was made against the state urban development minister, he alleged.