Shillong, June 28: The Meghalaya Lokayukta on Thursday issued notices to ten former top officials of the government and Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) following complaint of alleged corruption in the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme.

The complaint was filed by opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum, on June 12.

The complaint was filed against the former chief secretary, former additional chief secretary (Power), chairman cum managing director (CMD) of MeECL and former officials of the MePDCL that include Director (Distribution), Chief Engineer (Distribution), Chief Engineer (Rural Electrification), Company Secretary, Chief Accounts Officer/Deputy Chief Accounts Officer, Additional Chief Engineer (Material Management) and Additional Chief Engineer (Planning & Design) – based on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Social and Economic Sectors for the year ended March 31, 2022.

An order passed by the Chairperson, Meghalaya Lokayukta, B. Dhar, on Thursday said, “Seen the complaint petition dated June 12 filed under section 13 (l) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, by Adelbert Nongrum. Issue notice to all the respondents mentioned therein enclosing with copy of the complaint petition.”

It has also directed, “Since, the allegations in the complaint filed were based purely on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which was submitted to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, a notice along with copy of the complaint petition be sent to the Commissioner and Secretary, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.”

The order also directed to fix July 23 at 2 pm for hearing on the maintainability of the complaint petition.

In the complaint, Nongrum said, “The instant complaint is made u/s 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on the ground that the public servants indicated in particulars i. to x, who were in service at the time in the year 2018, have dishonestly or fraudulently misappropriated property placed under their control as public servants or allowed any other person to do so, and based upon facts presented briefly as follows.”

He said that Chapter 3 of the CAG Report relates to Audit observations on functioning of State Public Sector Enterprises, and at Para 3.3 of the Report it presents Audit findings on avoidable expenditure of Rs 156 crore in Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) a conclusive finding which is of significant and alarming concern to accountability of Public money.

“Despite advisory issued by Cabinet Secretary, injudicious decision of MePDCL for awarding works under SAUBHAGYA to contractors at their quoted rates resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs. 156.14 crore,” Nongrum stated.

Read: Meghalaya Govt to seek Centre’s support for strengthening its health sector

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