Shillong, June 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said the government is still waiting for the names of the chairperson and members for the independent inquiry constituted to probe into the alleged irregularities and scams in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

Justifying the delay in finalization of the names to the panel, he said, “Since we need to ensure that there is a complete sense of independence, we have asked for diverse names of people who will be put in the panel so that we are able to give it a good structure which will truly be independent in nature.”

He said the political department and the chief secretary are going through the names and they have been searching and suggesting the names. Once the names are shortlisted, it will be brought to the government for it approval, he said assuring that it will happen at the earliest.

His statement was a reaction to the allegation of the opposition Congress on the delay of the government to institute the independent inquiry despite one month having already lapsed.

As per the government’s decision, the proposed panel would also investigate the alleged Byrnihat power theft.