SHILLONG: The State BJP has targeted IT Minister and former BJP legislator A.L. Hek for his stoic silence on the alleged multi-crore M-Tab ‘scam’.
State BJP president Khlur Singh Lyngdoh came down heavily on the IT Minister for not coming up with any explanation on why the state government had purchased the tablets (M-Tab model XTRON Z704) at higher rates when the same was available in the market at a lower price.
Sensing a possible scam in the distribution of M-Tabs, the BJP demanded a CBI inquiry into the purchase of the tablets that were distributed to Class XII students of the State.
It may be noted here that an RTI filed by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) had revealed that the M-Tabs (25,000 pieces) were purchased at Rs.8,990 each taking the total price to Rs.22,47,50,000. However, the actual market price of each tablet is Rs.6,850 and the entire lot could have been bought for Rs.17,12,50000.
“It is astonishing that despite buying the tablets in bulk directly from the company the government had to shell out such a hefty price for them,” the BJP president said, adding that the deal was a clear indication that the Chief Minister and his ministers were involved in corruption.
The BJP also wanted to know how M/S Lava International was selected as the final bidder for the supplyof the tablets.
