Sitharaman promises to probe Loktak "scam"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 08 2015: Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries (independent charge) Nirmala Sitharaman today vowed to go to the bottom of the Loktak lake cleaning project and punish those involved in the "scam" .

We had earlier promised to probe the Rs 224 crore Loktak cleaning project taken up by the Okram Ibobi Singh Government.

Now the scam is under investigation.

We will punish all those involved," Sitharaman declared at an election rally in Imphal today.

Sitharaman arrived here today on a one day visit to Manipur to campaign for BJP candidates Khumukcham Joykishan Singh in Thangmeiband AC and Thongam Bishwajit Singh inThongju AC.

After landing at Imphal airport this morning, Sitharaman drove straight to Thangmeiband to address a well attended election rally for Joykishan Singh at Khunthokhanbi temple complex.

After the rally, the Minister interacted with business community of Imphal city, mostly non-locals at Dharmasala.

She also addressed another election rally at Kongba in favour of Bishwajit Singh.

During the campaigning for the last Lok Sabha election Central BJP leaders had promised to probe the Loktak cleaning project if the BJP came to power at the Centre.

Loktak cleaning project which was implemented by K Pro Infra Works Pvt Ltd.

has always been cited by the BJP as an example of Ibobi Singh led Congress Government's corrupt practices.

Today also Sitharaman made scathing attacks on Ibobi Singh Government, alleging that the Congress Government in Manipur is plagued with corruption.

"Congress means corruption here," she said.

She charged that Ibobi Singh and his relatives siphoned off the development funds pumped in by the Centre under various schemes.

"Manipur Development Society is run by ibobi Singh's relatives.

The funds provided by the Centre have been pocketed by CM relatives' development society," the Minister alleged.

Sitharaman also accused Ibobi Singh Government of delaying the project for setting up of a border hatt at Manipur's border township of Moreh, by failing to provide the land for the project.

She also blamed Ibobi Singh Government for the "horrible" conditions of the National Highways.

"Manipur is a landlocked State.

Manipur Government is supposed to work with the Centre to improve the condition of the National Highways.

However, the State Government has taken no step in this regard," Sitharaman charged.

Exuding confidence that BJP would win the by-election, the Minister said the BJP will send the message that the by-election is the beginning of Congress' end in Manipur.

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