Conrad mum on chargesheet against close ones

SHILLONG, Aug 4: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who is also the national president of NPP, and his deputy and party colleague Prestone Tynsong were reticent about Meghalaya Lokayukta charge-sheeting 12 people, including NPP MLA Sanjay A Sangma, for non-completion of the construction of the member’s hostel, Tura.
Refusing to comment, Sangma told reporters on Friday, “This is a judicial matter, so it is sub-judice in nature and at this point of time, it will not be possible for me to comment.”
He also declined to comment if the NPP will take any action against the MLA.
Sanjay A Sangma, who is now NPP’s Mahendraganj MLA, was a contractor of the Rs 6.01-crore project which was initiated a few years ago.
The 12 individuals including the sitting legislator were charge sheeted based on the report of an investigation submitted by Investigation Officer/Member of Inquiry Wing of the Lokayukta Anil Sangma.
The amount was allotted from the Special Assistance of Central Plan Scheme for the period 2015-2016, whereby the Ministry of Finance released Rs 100.71 crore as grant-in-aid to GHADC to develop Schedule Tribe areas.
After conducting a preliminary enquiry, the Lokayukta found prima facie that there were irregularities in the implementation of projects and subsequently, issued a direction for a detailed probe.
Tynsong, who is the national vice president of the NPP, on the other hand, said law will take its own course insofar as the Lokayukta action is concerned.
The NPP leader, however, remarked that Sanjay A Sangma was not an MLA when the project was sanctioned.