Meghalaya Congress releases 10 point charge sheet against MDA government ahead of Polls

Ahead of the Meghalaya Assembly polls in the state, the Congress released a 10-point ‘charge sheet’ against the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government during a press conference held in Shillong on February 13.

In their addresses, All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders Pawan Khera, Mathew Antony and Bobbeeta Sharma described the MDA government’s rule in the past five years as “Grand Meghalaya Loot”.

“Nothing can better describe the unprecedented, unabated and unabashed corruption and scams during the last five years of the NPP-led MDA government in Meghalaya than these four words,” Pawan Khera said.

The 10-point charge sheet includes — Assembly dome collapse scam, COVID scam, MUDA scam, Coal scam, Saubhagya scam, Rice scam,  Excise/Bond Cartelisation scam, Casino scam, Friends & Family – Government Contracts scam and Police purchase scam.

Chargesheet 1: Assembly dome collapse scam

Meghalaya Congress, alleging the MDA government of an Assembly dome collapse scam, stated, “The collapse of the dome of the new Assembly building has brought to light how corruption is entrenched in every deal made by the MDA.” In an unabashed display of power and shamelessness, the NPP gave the party ticket to the executive engineer, PWD (Building) Ransom Sutnga, who was responsible for the fraud.

“Such forms of blatant misuse of power and public money will have to be answered by the NPP and its alliance partners. Questions of how the UP-based firm got the contract and how previously disqualified bidders were awarded the subcontract need to be investigated. Conrad Sangma has publicly stated that the Assembly dome collapsed due to its “heavy weight.” That is a very wrong description. The people of Meghalaya know that the dome collapsed due to “heavy corruption.” Congress further alleged.

Chargesheet 2: COVID scam

In the second charge sheet against the MDA government on the COVID scam, Congress alleged that Rs 119.73 crore was released by the centre for COVID-related expenses, but the Home Minister announced in the Assembly that the centre had only sanctioned Rs 76 Cr – a difference of Rs 43.73 Cr. Also, no status report is available on the ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 to the relatives of those who died of COVID.

Chargesheet 3: The MUDA SCAM

A sum of Rs. 500 crore was given to the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Up until now, no utilisation certificate has been given, and no one knows how the money has been spent. There is no visible development in the city.

Similarly, the proposed Mega Shopping Complex at Meghalaya Transport Corporation’s (MTC) premises in Jail Road is also under the scanner. The government intends to spend more than Rs 200 crore on a plot of land measuring less than 50,000 sq. ft.

Chargesheet 4: COAL SCAM – illegal Mining and Transportation of Coal

The Congress party alleged that there has been a huge scam in the illegal mining and transportation of coal to the tune of hundreds of crores, and this ill-gotten money is being used by the NPP and all the constituent partners of MDA to fund their luxurious campaigns and “purchase” MLAs from other parties.

Chargesheet 5: Saubhagya Scam

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its 2021 audit report has exposed a scam of Rs 149 crore in the state power department, which has been at the centre of one controversy after another while implementing the Center’s flagship programme “Saubhagya.” The CAG report has pronounced that the Power Department has provided “undue favour” to a Delhi firm by awarding the turn-key Saubhagya Scheme, causing a loss of Rs 149.12 Cr to the state.

The charge sheet stated that some of the other irregularities in the power department include the implementation of various projects, such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded smart metering project.

 Chargesheet 6: Rice Scam

In July 2021, Assam Police unearthed the scam by seizing one lakh bags of rice from a private godown in Boko, Kamrup district, Assam. Each bag held 50 kg of rice.This rice was meant for distribution under the PDS scheme in Meghalaya but was diverted to Assam, a group of activists has alleged. They have also deposed before the inquiry commission set up to investigate how such a huge quantity of rice meant for Meghalaya was seized in Assam and recorded their statements.

 Chargesheet 7: Excise/Bond Cartelization Scam

 A cartel with the aim of monopolising the IMFL business and manipulating the prices was formed in 2019. This cartel was awarded a central bond, which started a kickback system by increasing the wholesale price. This in turn affected the retail price. This resulted in a huge loss of revenue for the government.

Chargesheet 8: Casino Scam

The decision of the MDA government to set up casinos along the border in Khanapara is also hugely controversial. Provisional licences were issued to three firms to open casinos, ostensibly to generate revenue for the state. There were allegations of nepotism and favouritism in awarding the contracts.

Chargesheet 9: Friends & Family – Government Contracts Scam

It is no secret that two ministers in the MDA government, Sniawbhalang Dhar and his nephew Dasakhiatbha Lamare, come from a family with interests in construction and transport. Their family-owned company, Dhar Construction Company (DCC), has a monopoly on all road construction and infrastructure projects in Meghalaya, particularly in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi. The work for construction on almost all projects in Meghalaya is awarded to this firm, and both the uncle and nephew are ministers in the MDA government, making it a classic case of nepotism, favoritism, and an obvious conflict of interest.

Chargesheet 10: Police purchase scam

On November 2, 2022, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIG), Gabriel Iangrai was arrested by CID in connection with mismanagement in procurement of vehicles and use of fuel coupons in thewhat is now known as the police vehicles purchase scam. In its report an internal enquiry committee, headed by a senior police official of the rank of IGP, found that there has been unofficial procurement, non-registration of 29 vehicles, questionable allotment and purchase of cheaper models of vehicles against sanction of expensive variants etc. Now how can an AIG without support and blessings from his bosses perpetrate such an elaborate scam is a question to be pondered, the charge sheet stated.

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