Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Department Chief Director A B Pandey was today (Dec 30, 2003) removed from the post by the State Government in connection with the reference of an alleged corruption case in the State Transport Ministry to the Chandigarh Police.

"On this issue he (Pandey) should have come to the Government," the Chief Minister, who also holds Home portfolio, said adding Pandey should not have taken action on his own in the Tej Prakash episode.

Singh, however, said that "Pandey had done a good bit of work in the past two years and he was able to pin down corruption. But if anything happens in Punjab I am responsible. Number one has to take responsibilities."

Dissident leader and State Agriculture Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had yesterday said over 30 of her MLAs would protest against the Vigilance Bureau Director marking a letter to Chandigarh police to look into a complaint which alleged that Prakash had been paid bribes to get bus route permits. The dissidents wanted Governor's intervention.

The Minister had also recently threatened to resign if no action was taken against Pandey. The dissidents had also demanded a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into allegations against his son, while Akali Dal and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) demanded the Chief Minister's resignation along with the probe.

Punjab Finance Minister Lal Singh, who was also present during the press briefing among other Ministers said, "Pandey's action was irresponsible as he acted at his own without consulting the Chief Secretary."

He said that the other Ministers welcomed the decision of Amarinder Singh on Pandey.

"When the name of a Minister or an MLA is allegedly involved then it is his (Pandey's) duty to refer it to the Chief Secretary," Lal Singh said adding, "You cannot take action without the Chief Secretary's knowledge."