GUWAHATI, Jan 27 � The Assam Government today admitted that only nine cases relating to eight departments of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council were sought to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the central agency has taken over five cases so far.
An official release issued by the Assam Government today said that the Chief Minister had issued instructions on December 17 that all cases of misappropriation in NC Hills district as indicated in the special audit report should be handed over to the CBI. The release said that whenever the State Government hands over any case to the CBI, the case is first registered by the CID. The case so registered by the CID is then transferred by the State Government to the CBI under the provisions of the Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act by issuing a notification. Thereafter, the Government of India gives its consent by issuing notification under section 5 of the same act, the release added.
The release said that as many as nine cases in NC Hills Autonomous Council were referred to the Department of Personnel and Training of the Government of India so that the CBI can take over the cases. The cases include, one case each in the departments of PWD, PHE, Agriculture, Soil Conservation, Forest, Health and Panchayat and Rural Development and two cases in the Social Welfare Department.
The Government of India has so far given its consent for investigation of five cases. The State Government is further examining all the cases of misappropriation mentioned in the special audit report of the Accountant General for referring the same to the CBI, the release added.
From the press release itself, it is clear that all the cases of misappropriation of funds in NC Hills Autonomous Council are yet to be handed over to the CBI.
It may be mentioned here that apart from pointing out specific cases of misappropriation of funds, the special audit by the office of the AG pointed out irregularities on the part of the State Government is release of funds.
The Audit report pointed out that funds in excess of budget provisions were sent to the NC Hills Autonomous Council by the State Government and from the Government release it is clear that the same has not been referred to the CBI so far.
The audit report also revealed that discrepancies were found in the records provided by the Hill Areas Development Department and NC Hills Autonomous Council on receipt of funds by the Council and that has also not been referred to the CBI.
