Tenders worth crores of rupees are awarded without floating tenders, violating the rules. If political bosses who are in power have the will, (they) can curb corruption.'

'See the result of the nexus - more than half a dozen politicians who were ministers are facing graft cases and two of them are in jail,' he added.

As per service rules, every IAS officer should declare assets every year, but the government never bothers to enquire about their assets.

'Accountability should be fixed. Any IAS officer can declare assets worth crores. The assets declaration should be substantiated with the source of income. If an IAS official is filing a wrong declaration, then he should be punished,' said another IAS official demanding that he not be named.

Nine IAS officials are facing vigilance probe in Jharkhand but these cases have been pending for anywhere between eight and ten years.

The CBI conducted searches at 13 places in Jharkhand Monday, including Pradeep Kumar's residences in Ranchi and Daltonganj, informed sources said.

The houses of two health department officials and those of two contractors were also searched by the agency, the sources said.

The state health department was in the eye of storm over allegations of corruption.

When Pradeep Kumar held office, the department had allegedly purchased equipment and vehicles without floating tenders. Medicines were also reportedly purchased at higher rates and there were accusations of fraud in the appointment of around 130 indigenous doctors.