NEW DELHI, Dec 9 � Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Thursday dared Tarun Gogoi Government to furnish an action taken report on the special audit report on North Cachar Hill and make public the National Investigation Agency�s (NIA) report.
Reacting to the State Government�s offer to hold a special session of the State Legislative Assembly, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said the State Government should first specify the actions taken on the special audit report. He also called for tabling the NIA�s report in the Assembly.
Mahanta also pointed out why the CBI was not handed over all the departments for thorough investigation on the basis of the CAG report.
Mahanta was speaking to newsmen on the side line of the AGP dharna at the Jantar Mantar here this afternoon. The demonstration was to press for immediate dismissal of Congress-led Government for its alleged involvement in corruption and siphoning of central funds meant for welfare of poor people in N C Hills. Fast tracking the CBI probe, besides ordering special audit in all autonomous councils of Assam including BTAD and Karbi Anglong.
Several MLAs and members of the steering committee of the party led by its president Chandra Mohan Patowary and including Phani Bhusan Choudhury, Atul Bora, Biren Baishya, Kumar Deepak Das, Joseph Toppo among others participated in the dharna. The demonstration was joined by representatives of erstwhile alliance partner, Telegu Desam Party (TDP).
AGP president, Chandra Mohan Patowary and Mahanta, meanwhile alleged that at least seven Ministers of the State Government flouting a cabinet resolution directly channelled funds to N C Hills. The State Cabinet had passed a resolution asking all State ministries to route the funds to N C Hills autonomous council through the Department of Hill Area Development, the AGP leaders said.
Further Patowary and Mahanta alleged that the State Government also flouted the norms of the Planning Commission by continuing with the funding to the various departments through its line ministries, despite an advisory against release of the second instalment until receipt of the utilisation certificate.
Patowary alleged that because of these serious lapses on part of the State Government maximum amount of funds have been misappropriated.
The AGP leaders charged that the Chief Minister, who is also holding the portfolio of Finance and Home Ministries, should claim moral responsibility for the lapses and quit.
Meanwhile, the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister alleged that the CAG report has high-lighted the involvement of the State Government, which has released huge amount to the Council in excess of the budgetary provisions without showing any valid reasons for such excess release. �We have every reason to believe that the Chief Minister, who is in-charge for finance department is well aware of the scam and has a direct hand in the same,� the regional party alleged.
