NEW DELHI, May 25 � Cracking the whip on leakage of Central funds, the Union Government on Monday ordered a probe into allegations of embezzlement, misappropriation, corruption and siphoning of government funds to the tune of over Rs 900 crore in Arunachal Pradesh.
Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh has ordered the probe into leakage of funds through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes related to Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and North Eastern Council (NEC), official sources said.
Dr Singh took the decision in response to a representation submitted by 11 MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh, who alleged that the Arunachal Government was responsible for misuse and misappropriation of Central funds released against projects sanctioned during 2011-12 to 2014-15.
Dr Singh directed Secretary, DoNER to immediately collect all the relevant information related to these projects and institute an inquiry into the status and progress of these projects. After compilation of the details and examination of the issues raised by the MLAs, comments may be sought from the State Government before deciding further course of action.
The MLAs, who signed the complaint included Tamiyo Taga, Leader of Opposition in Arunachal Assembly, Japu Deru, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Tage Taki, Chief Whip, BJP Legislature Party, Tumke Bagra, Tamar Murtem, Dr Mohesh Chai, Laisam Simai, Tesam Pongte, Kaling Moyong, Kento Rina and Olom Panyang.
They alleged that the present State Government had grossly misused and siphoned Central funds due to which majority of projects have not been completed and are behind schedule. They further alleged that the funds had been whimsically diverted and used under Non-Plan Head. This was the reason why the State Government was unable to furnish �Utilisation Certificates� against the funds released under the Scheme.
The MLAs requested for special audit and inquiry into misuse of Central funds in response to which the Union Minister directed the DoNER officials to immediately take cognisance of the complaints, furnish all the details and fix accountability. He also expressed concern over the fact that the State Government had failed to release the matching State�s share either in full or in part as a result of which, as many as 15 projects are running behind schedule and Utilisation Certificates were pending in 20 cases.