Mukul accuses Govt of tampering with TOR of independent inquiry into MeECL scams

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 23, 2021

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday accused the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government of “tampering” with the terms of reference (TOR) of the independent inquiry probing into the alleged irregularities in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“If there is an instance of irregularity and alleged corruption which has been brought upon us, we must take cognizance of those and do justice and be honest, allow the law to take its own course in the right perspective not that tampered way of terms of reference,” Sangma told reporters.

“You look at the terms of reference…it is an intent to tell people that the inquiry is already on but nothing is going to come out of the inquiry – keep it on record I am saying that,” he said while commenting on the recent reshuffling of portfolios in the MDA government.

He continued, “Now if there is a case of theft in one shop, you want to have a proper investigation, would you then say how many thefts there have been in the police bazaar for the last ten years? This is how you will unearth the truth?”

Terming the terms of reference a joke, Sangma said the inquiry will never unearth the truth pertaining to those areas of irregularities as it is just an eye wash.

He reiterated that the Congress’ demand was to investigate specific issues pertaining to Saubhagya and smart meters.

“Other things if there are, then you have another separate inquiry, you cannot club all the crimes and have a process of administration of justice capable of doing the one which would like to actually happen, it cannot happen,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition said that the whole drama was with intent to play to the gallery and that does not augur well for the state.

“This is because the tendency of all those people who want to engage in acts of irregularities and acts of corruption they will only get embolden when people go scot-free after engaging in activities against the interest of the people and the state if they go scot-free what happens they get embolden, there will be no deterrence, there will be no fear for law,” he stated.

Sangma also said that all the political parties who are part of the coalition government and who have been aggressive in demonstrating before the people of the state are also now quiet as they say the inquiry is going on.