Friday, April 29 2005 19:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Bihar Governor Buta Singh today (Apr 29, 2005) made it clear that he would hand over to CBI the inquiry into the multi-crore flood-relief scam without any delay if the State vigilance investigation bureau fails to carry out "an impartial and honest" investigation.

"I am ready for a CBI probe but let the preliminary inquiry report of the vigilance intelligence bureau come first," Singh told reporters at the Secretariat in Patna.

He said he would not wait for a moment and recommend a CBI inquiry if shortcomings were detected in the vigilance report.

When his attention was drawn to reports appearing in a section of press about top State officials, including Chief Secretary K A H Subramanian, "shelving the files relating to the irregularities which was detected in August last year itself", Singh said officials, whosoever they may be, found to be prima facie involved in "cover up or conspiracy of the scam" were bound to face the music.

The Chief Secretary, who was also present inside the chamber of the Governor, said the inquiry into alleged irregularities in "defalcation and diversion" of Government funds was delayed as officials were "preoccupied with the State Assembly polls".

"Later, we acted swiftly and got the matter inquired into by the Patna Divisional Commissioner and District Magistrate before ordering a vigilance probe," Subramanian said.