Guwahati, Apr 30: Governor of Assam has placed Monuranjan Payeng, ACS, Chief Executive Officer of Lakhimpur Zilla Parishad, under immediate suspension over alleged manipulation of a Video Viewing Team (VVT) report in the 74-Ronganadi Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC).

The action follows a complaint by Expenditure Observer Nitin Agarwal, who, in a letter dated April 8, 2026, flagged instances of overwriting and suspected data tampering in a VVT report dated March 27. The report pertained to an event involving candidate Rishiraj Hazarika.

According to the complaint, the number of buses, pandals and other expenditure components were allegedly reduced in the report to reflect lower campaign spending. The discrepancies were reportedly noticed during routine scrutiny of election expenditure records.

The complaint further alleged that the overwriting and manipulation were carried out by members of the VVT and the accounting team, purportedly under verbal instructions from Payeng, who was serving as the Nodal Officer of the Election Expenditure Monitoring Cell for the Assam Assembly Election 2026.

Officials noted that such alleged tampering raises serious concerns over transparency, accuracy, and adherence to guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India for monitoring poll expenses.

In the suspension order, the Governor observed that Payeng’s actions prima facie indicate “dereliction of duty, misconduct, breach of trust and conduct unbecoming of a government servant.”

Pending disciplinary proceedings, Payeng has been suspended under Rule 6(1)(a) of the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964. During the suspension period, his headquarters will remain at his last place of posting, unless revised upon review.

Also Read: Body of teen swept away at Weisawdong recovered

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub