Sunday, November 27 2005 09:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Expressing the newly-elected NDA government's 'firm resolve' to make Bihar 'crime-free', Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yesterday (Nov 26, 2005) said both 'immediate and long-term measures' were being worked out to achieve the objective by undertaking modernisation of police and toning up of the civil and police administration.

"We have already started work to fulfil our commitment to make the state crime-free. Both immediate and long-term measures are being evolved," he told reporters.

Kumar said he had asked Chief Secretary G S Kang and Director General of Police Ashish Ranjan Sinha to identify the vacancies in police and various other departments, which would be filled, and asserted 'complete transparency' will be maintained in the process of recruitment.

On alleged irregularities in recruitment of constables and sub-inspectors during the erstwhile RJD regime, he said it would be looked into.

When Kumar's attention was drawn to reports appearing in a section of press about newly-elected members of the state assembly allegedly trying to capture some government bungalows and flats of their choice, Kumar said he had ordered allotment of houses to all the 26 ministers.

"I appeal to the MLAs to maintain patience and wait for the election of the Speaker for allotment of houses", he said.

Referring to allocation of portfolios among ministers, Kumar said he had already directed the Chief Secretary and heads of the departments to brief their respective ministers on the status of the work being carried out so that they are able to give him the feedback and suggest measures to speed up the pace of development.