Power Minister slams opp CONG over demand for his removal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 2, 2021

Power Minister James K Sangma on Thursday slammed the opposition Congress for demanding his removal citing that he may influence the Inquiry Commission constituted to probe into the alleged scams in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

The demand was made by Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma following the government’s decision to remove Arunkumar Kembhavi as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the MeECL.

In his place, Additional Chief Secretary Rebecca V Suchiang was appointed. 

Speaking to reporters, James K Sangma said independent inquiry comprises ‘individuals of repute’.

He informed that the Inquiry Commission has been notified and the probe will be headed by a retired Justice of a High Court.

“To say I can influence them I think is very disrespectful of the office of a retired Justice. I think he (Zenith Sangma) is casting aspersions on the character of a retired Justice – I think that is very wrong on the part of the opposition to say something like that,” he said while adding that the question of him resigning as power minister does not arise at all.

“I feel by them asking for my resignation is akin to a person living in a glass house and throwing stones at the other person’s houses,” James said. 

Stating that the problems of the MeECL are legacy issues, the power minister however said that the Congress has equal responsibility for the mess in the Corporation.

He informed that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government is trying its best to clean the mess instead of saying “it is a legacy issue” as it requires close inspection into the root causes.

“(Therefore), for the Chief Minister to have come forward and constituted this Independent Inquiry, it is a very big message that we are sending that there is nothing to hide. We are welcoming an inquiry into the workings of the MeECL. So the question of (my) resignation does not arise here when we have gone ahead and set up this inquiry…,” he stated.