SHILLONG, July 7: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) wants the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the alleged scam in the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme in the state what has caused a loss of Rs 149.12 crore to the state and provided ‘undue favour’ to a particular company.

The demand is in light of the “interim audit report” of the Comptroller General of India (CAG) observing various irregularities in the award of the contract for the scheme to the contractor thereby causing a loss of Rs 149.12 crore to the state besides undue favour to a particular company. It was also alleged that the contracts were awarded at a price which is above 50% over and above the estimated cost of the project as the contactors have quoted the price of materials way above the estimated or existing market prices.

Additionally, HYC has demanded immediate removal of the incumbent Power Minister James K Sangma for fair investigation to take place.

In a letter to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday, HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem said, “The state government should take necessary steps to initiate an investigation by the CBI into the implementation of Saubhagya scheme in the state and to initiate legal proceedings as per law against anyone involved of illegality.”

He said the observations made by the office of the CAG are very serious and cast a doubt on the proper and clean implementation of the Saubhagya Scheme in the state, thus requiring an investigation by the premiere investigative agency like the CBI and to initiate appropriate actions as per law against anyone found guilty in the matter.

On removal of James Sangma, he said, “James K. Sangma, being the Minister I/c Power Department and given the fact that the Power Department is also an interested party in the ‘alleged’ scam and multiple irregularities, it is but fair that the incumbent Power Minister should be relieved of his portfolio.”

He said the former CMD of MeECL Arunkumar Kembhavi should also be removed from the post of Director (Finance), MeECL and not to be appointed in any capacity in the MeECL or its subsidiaries or in the power department for a free and fair inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the department.

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana-Saubhagya Scheme was launched by the Government of India on October in 2017 with an aim to provide household electrification in the country by providing last mile connectivity and electricity connections to all households in rural and urban areas.

The state government agreed to join the scheme and the same was launched in April 2018 with an aim to provide 100 % electrifications of all households in the state.