Lokayukta recommends removal of MSPCL officials
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 07 2022:
The Manipur Lokayukta court has recommended the state government to disallow some top officials of Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) from exercising their power and functions during the investigation into the construction of a power sub-station at Chakpikarong.
While hearing a petition filed by one Thiyam Nirosh of Chingamakha Maisnam Leikai, the Lokayukta court comprising chairperson justice T Nandakumar and member Ameishing observed that there is a report of the inquiry officer that many documents relating to the installation of 2x1 MVA, 33 kV sub-station along with the associated 33 kV line and related works at Chakpikarong in Chandel are suspected to be manufactured and recently created ones, with many of the important documents like Measurement Books (MBs) missing.
Moreover, many of the officers are suspected to be involved in concealing/misplacing and destroying or manufacturing important documents.
For proper investigation and also in the larger interest of public and maintaining transparency in the administration by the government, the court recommends not to allow the Managing Director of MSPCL to function as MD and to entrust the function and duties of the MD to an official deem appropriate by the state government till the completion of the investigation, the court said.
It also recommended the government to take out/transfer two general managers of MSPCL from their present posting till the completion of the investigation, and the government shall implement the order as soon as possible for unhindered investigation.
The three officers are not directly involved in duty of the ensuing Assembly election, and therefore their removal from their present postings will not interfere with the election process, the court observed.
The court also recommended the government to utilise the service of SP Kakching Shrey Vats to investigate the case and the case should be registered at the Crime Branch Police Station, Imphal.
The investigating officer will not be under the supervision of his senior officer of his department or the station where the present case is to be registered while conducting the investigation.
The IO shall take necessary action to complete the investigation of the case within six months from the date of registration.
DGP Manipur shall ensure the registration of the case at the Crime Branch Police Station, Imphal immediately upon receipt of the order.
Chief secretary and DGP shall ensure that the place of posting of the assigned 10 of the case may not be disturbed without the prior notice to the Manipur Lokayukta, the court recommended.