Patna, Sept. 9: Urging people to help him curb corruption, chief minister Nitish Kumar today warned middlemen against trying to control government projects. He also asked the state government officials to respect the deadlines laid down under the Right to Service Act.

Speaking at a public meeting in Samastipur after launching the Shatabdi Niji Nalkup (centenary private pump set) pilot project, Nitish said the officials not complying with the deadline laid down under the Right to Service Act would be penalised. The errant officials could even be dismissed, he warned.

The chief minister also urged people not to go to the office concerned till the deadline for a service was over. Else, touts could bully them, he said.

Nitish lamented that middlemen and corrupt people had adversely hit the government projects. To avoid middlemen, Indira Awas units were being allotted through fairs.

The chief minister said the middlemen had no role to play in the government projects. “If they are found hijacking the government schemes, criminal cases would be lodged against them and speedy trial would be ordered,” he said.