On Thursday, the Meghalaya Lokayukta issued notifications to the former chief secretary and other former officials of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) regarding alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme in the state.
Prompt for Action
These actions were initiated based on findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s (CAG) report on Social and Economic Sectors for the fiscal year 2021-22. The notices were a result of a complaint lodged by Adelbert Nongrum, a North Shillong legislator from the Voice of the People Party (VPP).
Complaint Details
Lokayukta Chairperson Bhalang Dhar acknowledged receiving the complaint dated June 12 under Section 13 (1) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The allegations were derived solely from the CAG report submitted to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Accordingly, Dhar directed that a notice, along with a copy of the complaint, be sent to the commissioner and secretary of the Assembly.
Scheduled Hearing
The Lokayukta has scheduled a hearing to determine the admissibility of the complaint petition for July 23. Nongrum’s complaint also implicated a former additional chief secretary responsible for power and a former chairman-cum-managing director of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) for alleged corruption.
Additional Allegations
The complaint included other former officials from the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), such as the director (distribution), chief engineers, company secretary, and chief accounts officer, among others, in relation to corruption allegations concerning the Saubhagya scheme.
Importance of Addressing Corruption
Nongrum emphasized the necessity of addressing corruption in Meghalaya, stating that his complaint was filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act due to alleged misappropriation of public funds by these former public servants. He highlighted significant audit findings from the CAG report, which included Rs.156.14 crore in avoidable expenditure at MePDCL, documented in para 3.3 of the report. These findings underscored concerns about the accountability of public funds, particularly related to decisions made by MePDCL on awarding contracts under the Saubhagya scheme.
Expectation from Lokayukta
Nongrum expressed his expectation that the Lokayukta would handle his complaint with due diligence, noting the critical issues of corruption and drug addiction currently impacting the state.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What prompted the Meghalaya Lokayukta to issue notifications to former officials of MeECL?
- a) A complaint by the chief minister
- b) Findings from the CAG report
- c) A directive from the central government
- d) Media reports on corruption
- Who lodged the complaint that led to the notifications by the Meghalaya Lokayukta?
- a) The chief minister
- b) An anonymous whistleblower
- c) Adelbert Nongrum
- d) The Lokayukta Chairperson
- Under which section of the Prevention of Corruption Act was the complaint acknowledged by the Lokayukta Chairperson?
- a) Section 12 (1) (a)
- b) Section 13 (1) (a)
- c) Section 14 (1) (b)
- d) Section 15 (1) (c)
- When is the hearing to determine the admissibility of the complaint petition scheduled?
- a) July 15
- b) July 20
- c) July 23
- d) July 30
- What significant audit finding was highlighted in the CAG report regarding MePDCL?
- a) Rs.156.14 crore in avoidable expenditure
- b) Rs.200 crore in misappropriated funds
- c) Unaccounted for contracts worth Rs.100 crore
- d) Unreported revenue of Rs.50 crore