Shillong (Meghalaya),Jan 9: The Meghalaya Lokayukta chairperson, PK Mushahary has sought the assistance of the CBI to investigate allegations of corruption against the various government agencies responsible for export of various products from the state to Bangladesh.
In the order passed on Thursday , the chairperson sought the CBI probe after a resident of Meghalaya, Abhijit Basumatary provided detailed information in his complaint against the land customs station, police and civil services, transport and DMR authorities as well as the state and central sales tax department, who were all named in the complaint filed.
The petitioner stated that the collusion between unscrupulous businessmen and officers of the various departments named had easily caused a loss of over Rs 1000 crores. The petitioner has also informed on the people responsible for the huge loss as well as the modus operandi used in the export of products like coal, betel nuts, boulders etc.
The complaint highlighted the ongoing racket since 2015 that has not stopped despite many letters and complaints to state authorities.
“It is alleged that some officials on duty at the aforesaid departments demand and take bribes to allow the loaded trucks without proper papers, even without challans, across the check gates, thereby causing huge revenue loss. The racket has not been stopped and the authorities concerned have taken no action to stop it,” said the order by the chairperson.
Earlier the petitioner had stated that genuine businessmen faced harassment at the hands of the same authorities with the racket being posited through the Bora Valley in Assam and Khliehriat in Meghalaya.
The chairperson further added that as currently there is no investigation wing of the Lokayukta, he felt it proper for a preliminary investigation to be conducted by the CBI and directed the SP of CBI to conduct an inquiry and submit a report in 15 days.
Further considering that high ranking officials of the civil and police administration being accused of involvement in the case, the Lokayukta has directed the chief secretary of the state to transfer officials, who have been named by the petitioner within 10 days to allow for uninterrupted investigation by the CBI.
The Lokayukta also asked the chief secretary to look into the matter and take appropriate remedial steps with a report to be submitted on the remedies taken up within 15 days.
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