From Our Correspondent
TURA, June 3: The Meghalaya Civil Rights & Accountability Forum (MCRAF) has expressed deep concern over what it termed as disturbing developments reportedly taking place within the administrative and financial functioning of the state government.
The Forum, in a communiqué on Wednesday, alleged that an individual who neither holds any elected office nor possesses any officially notified government appointment is allegedly exercising influence over various government departments and administrative processes.
“Such alleged involvement reportedly extends to policy matters, administrative decision-making, award of works, establishment-related affairs and matters connected with departmental revenue collection. If these allegations are found to be true, the situation would constitute a matter of grave constitutional, administrative and institutional concern, as it may amount to unauthorised interference in the functioning of the state administration and undermine the principles of transparency, accountability and rule of law,” it said.
The MCRAF drew attention to serious issues concerning the implementation and functioning of the Integrated Excise Management System (IEMS).
According to the Forum, the government had introduced the Integrated Excise Management System (IEMS) Policy and awarded its implementation to C-Tel Infosystem Private Limited, represented by MP Singhania & Company and headed by its CEO, Vikram Singhania, son of MP Singhania.
The IEMS was reportedly introduced with the stated objective of ensuring transparency and accountability in the movement and monitoring of liquor through hologram and QR code-based tracking systems at Bottling Plants, Central Bonded Warehouses, Bonded Warehouses and retail outlets.
The stated purpose of the system was to minimise revenue leakage and strengthen excise monitoring mechanisms.
However, according to the MCRAF, several serious concerns have emerged regarding its actual implementation and operation.
“The IEMS is reportedly not fully operational to date. Essential scanning devices and infrastructure are allegedly yet to be installed at Central Bonded Warehouses, Bonded Warehouses and retail outlets. Despite the alleged non-functional status of the system, collections under the IEMS mechanism are reportedly being carried out for several months,” it added.
The Forum said these circumstances give rise to several important questions of public accountability.
“On what legal or administrative basis are collections being made under a system that is allegedly not fully operational? Has due process, transparency and financial accountability been maintained in such collections? Have the intended objectives of preventing leakage and ensuring transparency in fact been achieved? Such developments, if substantiated, may indicate serious administrative lapses and possible financial irregularities requiring immediate examination by competent authorities,” the organisation felt.
Further compounding the issue, the maximum profit margin of retailers was reduced from 20 per cent to 15 per cent—a matter that had been challenged before the High Court of Meghalaya and subsequently taken to the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition, which was later withdrawn.
“This sequence of events clearly suggests that the 5% reduction in retailer margin has been effectively adjusted into IEMS-related collection, raising serious concerns about policy intent and financial restructuring,” asserted the MCRAF.
According to the Forum’s findings, the situation has led to retailers being adversely affected financially, while liquor pricing has reportedly not been finalised, leading to disruption in supply and the absence of products in the market.
“This illogical adjustment has allegedly resulted in huge revenue loss to the State Exchequer, amounting to crores. Such loss of public revenue, if true, is deeply concerning and raises the question—who is actually benefiting from this arrangement,” it asked.
In this situation, the MCRAF sought answers from the state government on various questions arising from the developments.
“Under what authority is such unauthorised interference taking place? Who has allowed such access and influence within the administrative system? Why is revenue being collected under a non-functional system? Is there misuse of the name of higher authorities to exert pressure on representatives and officials and business communities,” asked the MCRAF.
The Forum felt that, if left unaddressed, such developments may adversely affect democratic governance, administrative integrity, institutional independence and public confidence in the state’s governance framework.
Stating that its concerns were not directed against any individual but pertained to governance, legality, financial accountability and adherence to constitutional principles, the group demanded an immediate clarification from the state government regarding the allegations and concerns raised.
“A high-level, independent, time-bound and transparent inquiry into the alleged unauthorised interference and IEMS-related financial collections is required. There should be determination of responsibility and accountability for any loss caused to the State Exchequer and immediate corrective measures and no collection carried out until the IEMS is fully and lawfully operational. We also demand appropriate legal and administrative action against any individual or entity found to have misused authority or violated established procedures,” it stated.
MCRAF further urged all ministers, public servants and constitutional functionaries to uphold their legal and constitutional responsibilities and ensure that governance remains transparent, accountable and strictly within the framework of law.
“The governance in Meghalaya must remain free from any form of extraneous influence, financial opacity, or administrative irregularity. Any deviation from these principles must be addressed promptly in the larger public interest,” felt the Forum.
