Mayawati fires two ministers for alleged corruption

Lucknow: Mayawati, often accused of running one of the most corrupt governments in the country, has fired two ministers today. A press statement says that the ministers have been removed while charges of graft against them are investigated.

The ministers who have been laid off today are Rangnath Mishra, who was handling Secondary Education, and Badshah Singh, who held the Labour portfolio.

The Lokayukta or ombudsman of Uttar Pradesh had recommended the removal of Mr Mishra after finding him guilty of grabbing land, and accumulating assets disproportionate to his income. The Lokayukta, Justice NK Mehrotra, is also studying whether Mr Singh misused his office for personal gain.  

"Secondary Education Minister Rangnath Mishra has been found to be indulging in large scale corruption, bribery and amassing huge assets. He therefore deserves to be removed from the state council of ministers," Justice Mehrotra said yesterday.  "A preliminary inquiry carried out by us has clearly established that the minister had made illegal money in appointment of teachers and other staff in the departments under him."