Congress questions delay to complete inquiry into MeECL scams

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 6, 2021

The opposition Congress on Monday questioned the delay of the state government to make public the report of the independent inquiry committee constituted to probe into the alleged scams in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

Addressing media persons, party spokesperson Zenith Sangma said that the Chief Minister had announced the constitution of the judicial inquiry commission to be headed by retired Judge of Allahabad High Court, Justice Ifaqat Ali Khan on June 28.

He however said that even after 70 days, the inquiry commission is yet to start probing into the various allegations of corruption in the MeECL.

“From the very beginning I have maintained it was just an eye wash because I was doubting their commitment level. It was done just to pacify the people who are demanding including regional party leaders and of course to play to the gallery only,” Zenith added.

Asked, the Rangsakona legislator said, “Let the Chief Minister explain to this (as to why the inquiry is yet to start)…we want to know he very proudly told the people of the state that look that this judicial inquiry commission has been constituted and within three months this inquiry will be completed.”

He also questioned the reason behind the refusal of the retired judge to head the inquiry.

“Let the Chief Minister explain this. Whether the government didn’t do due diligence before appointing him (retired judge) to have the inquiry commission or the government is pressurizing the inquiry commission to do something which they are not willing to do…there may be lots of factors, reasons, as to why this inquiry commission is not being able to take off with its duty to inquire,” he stated.

The Congress leader reiterated the party demand to hand over the investigation to the central bureau of investigation (CBI).

“The Congress’ demand from day one itself was to hand it over to the CBI that is the premium institution to investigate corruption  in our country and we cannot undermine the service of CBI so our stand was from day one itself was to handover to CBI to get justice,” he said.

Asked, Zenith admitted that the allegations of corruption against the MeECL attract the provisions of the Lokayukta. “Hence, at an appropriate time, we will knock on the door of the judiciary at our level also,” he asserted.