Biswajit puts record straight
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 13 2019:
Th Biswajit who has been stripped of the charges of both Works and Power Departments has flatly rejected the allegations that the State Government has run into overdraft due to release of huge amounts by the two departments when the election model code of conduct was in force.
Speaking to media persons at his Sanjenthong official residence this evening, Biswajit that the amounts released by the two departments between March and April this year were from the budgetary allocations of the financial year 2018-19.The budgetary allocations made in the current financial year have not been touched yet as no encashment permit was obtained coupled with the enforcement of the election model code of conduct, he said.
The budgetary allocation for PWD in 2018-19 was Rs 1068.53 crore out of which only Rs 656 crore was spent.
As such, a substantial amount remained with the department.
Likewise, not a single rupee has been spent from the budgetary allocations made in the current financial year for MSPDCL and MSPCL.
However, budgetary allocations made in the previous financial year were not fully utilised.
With the budgetary allocations for Works and Power Depts growing smaller during the past few financial years, the two depts have been managing their funds very prudently.
As such, the allegation that the State Govt has run into overdraft on account of releasing funds excessively by the two depts is rather baseless, Biswajit said.
He contended that the election model code of conduct imposes no restriction on release of liabilities for ongoing or completed projects.
Asserting that financial transactions of all depts were done with the approval of Finance Dept, Biswajit dismissed the blame put on Works and Power Depts alone for the financial mess into which the State Govt has fallen.
"Men are generally susceptible to suspicions but it is a matter of grave concern that I have been projected as guilty on grounds of mere suspicion by bringing to the open what should remain within the Government as an internal matter", Biswajit decried.
Saying that all the reports in his possession would be furnished to the enquiry committee and it would be demonstrated to the public that there was no case of release of excessive amounts.
He exuded confidence that the enquiry would establish the facts and identify the real culprits.
Running into overdraft is not something which happens overnight.
Finance Department would have some knowledge of the State's financial situation during the past 40/50 days.
Questioning the failure of the Principal Secretary (Finance)/Commissioner (Finance) to get an idea of the State's financial situation in advance, Biswajit asserted that the Finance Department should be held accountable for the overdraft.
Commenting on the internal crisis besieging the coalition Government, Biswajit asserted that the crisis is basically about the growing unpopularity of the present leader among the ruling MLAs.
He further clarified that he does not work or lobby to become the Chief Minister.
Biswajit asserted that he is rather concentrating on strengthening BJP in the State.
"I would welcome any decision taken by the BJP Central leadership with regard to the crisis besieging the State Government", he added.
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