New Delhi: An inquiry has been ordered to look into the allegations of corruption and siphoning off of development-related funds by the Arunachal Pradesh government, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said here today. The decision came following a representation from a group of 11 MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh, who alleged the state government was responsible for “misuse and misappropriation” of the Centre’s funds released against projects sanctioned during 2011-12 to 2014-15. Accordingly, Singh has directed Secretary, Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) to immediately collect all the relevant information related to these projects and institute an inquiry into the status and progress of these projects, an official release said.
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, it said. Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for DoNER, said the probe is into allegations of embezzlement, misappropriation, corruption and siphoning off of government funds to the tune of over Rs 900 crore in Arunachal Pradesh through various centrally-sponsored schemes related to non-lapsable central pool of resources and North-Eastern Council. The MLAs who signed the complaint included Tamiyo Taga, Leader of Opposition in Arunachal Pradesh state legislative Assembly, Japu Deru, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Tage Taki, Chief Whip, BJP Legislative Party and Tumke Bagra, among others.
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, the release said. 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, it said.
The MLAs requested for special audit and inquiry into “misuse” of central government funds.
Singh has 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, the release quoted the Minister as saying. (PTI)
