Cong demands MDA to withdraw petition challenging Lokayukta order for CBI probe into coal racket

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 25, 2020

The opposition Congress on Tuesday demanded the NPP-led MDA government to withdraw its petition filed before the Meghalaya High Court challenging the order of the Lokayukta for a CBI probe into the coal racket.

Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma told reporters that the state government has been instrumental in delaying the process of investigation as a tactic to destroy all the evidences.

He alleged the government wants to ensure that long time given for all those who are involved in the activities of corruption to destroy all the evidences and go scot free but the Congress will not allow this.

“Our party will pressurize and will leave no stone unturn to ensure that the government withdraws this petition and allow the anti-graft body to proceed ahead (with the investigation),” Sangma said while urging the people of the state to join hands in taking up this serious issue.

“The malafide and criminal intent of the government to derail the whole process of investigation by the anti-graft body will not be allowed,” he declared.

Sangma also wanted to know who that “powerful man” is asking the government to challenge the order of the Lokayukta before the High Court and whom they want to defend.

Asked, the leader of opposition said, “…you have the chief minister and you have the chief secretary – who is advicing whom, we will go after them.”

In case the government fails to withdraw, Sangma said, “We will see that they withdraw and if they don’t, we know what to do there are many more things coming up.”

Stating that protecting the interest of the state is paramount, he said, “Anybody who fails to protect the interest of the state, I promise you that we will take them to task as the law is very clear and there are number of judgments by Supreme Court, we will invoke those provisions (against them).”

According to him, Meghalaya have not tolerated corruption and Meghalaya cannot tolerate corruption.

He also reminded that the idea to have the Lokayukta is not only for ‘cosmetic purpose’ and said -“The idea is to ensure we have this anti-graft body to create a deterrent and ensure corruption free governance.”

Reiterating that there is a big cartel operating to facilitate illegal mining and transportation of coal, Sangma said, “And this cartel seems to be getting all the necessary protection and this protection is coming from the government by way of preventing the anti-graft  body to proceed ahead with the investigation.”

“As I have said they are emboldening all those who are engaging in irregularities, illegalities and corruption and at the same time this will ultimately facilitate in the destruction of all evidences which itself is punishable by law,” he further added.

The leader of opposition said that he is highly convinced that the Lokayukta desire that there should be an investigation team other than the officers who are under the control of the incumbent government and this indicate that the Lokayukta doesn’t have the reason to trust (them).

On the recent reshuffling of portfolios following the growing discontentment among ministers against the then home minister James K Sangma, he said, “Why only home minister. Have you been able to carry any news item of the then home minister James K Sangma refuting the allegation on illegal mining? Did he gave any press conference, no. it was CM who was on a denial mode all the time inside the house and outside the house. Everytime when the attention was drawn they were prompt and he (CM) led from the front.”

Meanwhile, the Congress is also determined to ensure that the state government completes the whole process of constituting the Lokayukta in its full strength.

Sangma said this government doesn’t seem to be interested in constituting the full body of the Lokayukta.

“That is another mechanism and maneuver of the state government to ultimately see that this Lokayukta cannot deliver to its full potentiality as mandated in the Act itself. This is highly condemnable,” he said.

According to him, there are many allegations of corruption against the activities of the present government.

“It seems nobody is scared to engage in illegalities because people who are supposed to be mandated with the onus of whole responsibility to go after the people engaging in criminalities and irregularities, they themselves are getting involved,” he stated.