Aizawl: The Mizoram government ton Thursday disowned a company which claimed itself to be a state government undertaking and said strict disciplinary action would be taken against the senior IPS officer who has floated the firm.
A disclaimer on Thursday issued by the chief secretary’s office said Mizoram Direct Marketing Limited, registered under the Companies Act 1956 on Mar 11, 2013 was launched by Principal Secretary of the state Industries department P C Lallawmsanga in his personal capacity, and not on behalf of the government of Mizoram.
Government officials floating business outfits to conduct commercial activities by branding the concern as a wholly owned company of the government of Mizoram required a policy decision by the Cabinet, the disclaimer said.
“Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association have neither been vetted by the Law Department nor concurred by the Finance Department, Government of Mizoram before approaching the Registrar of Companies and the Directors and have also not obtained prior permission as required under the CCS (Conduct) Rules to float a commercial concern,” it said.
Lallawmsanga has not been authorised to sign the MoU between the state government and Chennai-based RMP Infotec Pvt Ltd on December 10, 2Ol2 and the licensee agreement between Mizoram Direct Marketing Ltd and Mizo Lifestyle Marketing Pvt Ltd dated March 13, 2O13 purportedly on behalf of government the disclaimer said.
Chief Secretary L Tochhong today told media persons that the government was contemplating taking disciplinary action against Lallawmsanga, a 1984 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer holding the rank of Additional DG of Police.
Punitive action might also be taken against the other two company ‘directors’ – Teresy Vanlalhruaii and Lalbiakthanga Chhakchhuak, sources said.
The Mizoram Direct Marketing Limited was formally launched on July 18 at Science City Auditorium in Kolkata, attended by well-known personalities including those from big companies.
Sources said Mizoram Chief Secretary informed Lallawmsanga not to attend the launching function, but the latter disobeyed her orders claiming that he and the newly-formed company had the blessings of the state chief minister.
The company’s website was taken offline soon after launching of the company while it was suspected that some other government officials in the state Information and Communication Technology department and National Informatics Centre (NIC) were involved as the website was also reportedly designed by the state government-owned Zoram Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (ZENICS).
The company’s main business, according to the pre-launch advertisements, was promoting direct selling of branded consumer goods in the country. (PTI)