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Cash prizes for scribes exposing corruption

Hindustan Times | By, Thiruvananthapuram
Feb 22, 2009 11:45 PM IST

Journalists will have to plaay a key role in ending corruption at high places, feels the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala. So it has announced cash rewards for scribes who expose corrupt deeds in government offices, reports Ramesh Babu.

Expose corruption and win attractive rewards. The offer is open for pen-pushers, not for investigating officers. Journalists will have to plaay a key role in ending corruption at high places, feels the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala. So it has announced cash rewards for scribes who expose corrupt deeds in government offices.

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It is another story though that the state government is reeling under a massive power kickback (Lavalin scam) and the CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is using his lung power day in and day out to attack what he calls a “media syndicate”.

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But state finance minister Thomas Issac, a known Left economist, wants the vibrant media to help him fight corruption. Presenting his populist budget on Friday, the minister announced a special fund to rewards journalists who expose corruption in public places. This is perhaps a first of its kind in the country.

“I want to root out corruption. I need media help. I will reward them appropriately. Rewards will start from Rs 25,000. I have constituted a special fund for this,” the minister said while presenting the budget.

With an eye on the Lok Sabha elections, the minister has proposed several populist measures including rice at Rs 2 per kilo for families below the poverty line. He has also announced a Rs 10,000 package to fight economic downturn in the state.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

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