Cabinet adopted no decision on disciplinary action: Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2019: Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar who has been stripped of the charge of Finance Department has categorically stated that the ban imposed by RBI on financial transactions of the State Government due to overdraft was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held yesterday but no decision was adopted to take up any disciplinary action.

Speaking to media persons at his office today, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Cabinet meeting held yesterday did not authorise the Chief Minister to take up any disciplinary action.

Citing a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat which says that the Cabinet authorised the Chief Minister to take all necessary disciplinary actions to imbibe a culture of financial prudence and propriety in key Government departments, Joykumar said that the particular statement is sheer exaggeration and added that the truth can be known from other Ministers who attended the Cabinet meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar

He maintained that the State often ran into overdraft but the situation was managed from time to time.

If any Government runs into overdraft for 14 consecutive days or 36 days with interruptions, RBI imposes restrictions on the Government's transactions, said Joykumar who asserted that the State's de facto Finance Minister is the Chief Minister.

He cited an order issued by the State Government on January 8 last year which made the Chief Minister's approval mandatory for sanctioning any fund of over Rs two crore.

The current overdraft of over Rs 274 crore cannot be attributed to sanctioning of funds of just Rs two crore or lesser, he said.

He asserted that the Chief Minister should be held accountable for the current financial situation, and if any disciplinary action should be initiated, it should be against the Chief Minister.

The Principal Secretary (Finance) is also a staff officer of the Chief Minister.

Whenever he took leave, he sought permission from the Chief Minister but never bothered to inform the Finance Minister.

The Principal Secretary (Finance) acted as if nothing matters as long as he is in the Chief Minister's good book, said Joykumar who has been relieved of the charge of Finance Department.

He said that he was never taken seriously and reports sent by the RBI on daily basis were not presented to him even though the RBI reports reached him only when he asked for them.

As for the claim that huge amounts were released when the election model code of conduct was in force, the Chief Minister should be held accountable, asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.

He said that he would go to Delhi tomorrow together with fellow NPP Minister N Kayisii to discuss the political situation unfolding in the State with NPP president Conrad Sangma.

Sports Minister Letpao Haokip is already in Delhi and Health Minister L Jayantakumar has already made plans to leave Imphal for Delhi tomorrow.

The State's political situation would be analysed within NPP before conveying its stand to BJP leadership, Joykumar said.

CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam maintained that he and his party (LJP) would never take part in any tussle for change of political leadership or Ministerial portfolios.