SHILLONG, Oct 12: Health Minister James PK Sangma on Wednesday said the inquiry committee headed by Justice (retd) RN Mishra apparently found nothing wrong in the smart meter project.
In a fresh letter to Sangma on Tuesday, Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Saket Gokhale raised questions about the installation of the Chinese-made smart meter at Sangma’s residence in 2021 even though Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had claimed in July that these smart meters are yet to be approved by the Centre’s Renewable Energy Certificates.
“I am not sure if Gokhale is aware of the inquiry committee which was constituted by the government and headed by a retired high court judge. The report of the inquiry committee has apparently said there is nothing untoward in the smart meter project,” Sangma, a former Power Minister, said while reacting to Gokhale’s accusations.
He said Gokhale might not have done his homework properly. “He should read up on the kind of issues and what were the outcomes of these actions taken by the government,” Sangma said.
Gokhale, he said, has every right to criticise as the spokesperson of a political party.
“But again, we have a responsibility to the public and a responsible person should be diligent,” Sangma said while admitting he did not go through Gokhale’s statement point-by-point.
“Again, it’s easy to criticise anybody. When he says all these things, it must be based on facts. If the allegations do not have any merit, then I think responding will be a waste of time. I will be happy to respond if there is any merit,” the minister said.
When pointed out that Gokhale criticised the NPP for not filing its mandatory election expenditure reports with the Election Commission of India since 2018, he said the party leadership is aware of what to comply with.
“We have senior leaders who know what our responsibilities are. I find it very irresponsible on the part of Gokhale to just say things in the air,” Sangma said.
