Vigilance takes up corruption case against three persons
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2018: Vigilance and Anti Corruption Department has lodged a case against ex-Deputy CM Gaikhangam, a senior IAS officer and his wife for misappropriation of funds in connection with the construction of Tribal Boys Hostel.

According to a reliable source, the case was taken up against Congress Working Committee Member and ex-Dy CM Gaikhangam, the senior IAS officer and his wife after it came to light that the ST Boys Hostel which was to be constructed at Imphal East Kabaw Leikai, Dewlahland, was instead being built at the premise of a private educational society.

On October 21, 2010, the Tribal Affairs, Hills and Scheduled Caste Development Department approved the expenditure sanction of Rs 99,50,000 for the construction of the hostel at Kabaw Leikai, Dewlahland, under the Special Development Fund 2010 .

After taking up a case regarding the issue, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department investigated and found that TA &Hills Department had not utilised the fund which was sanctioned for the hostel and the hostel itself was riot constructed at the proposed site.

It was also found that out of the total amount sanctioned for the hostel, Rs 88,30,800 (Rs 34,61,040 in the first instalment and Rs 53,69,760 in the second and last instalment) had been handed over to the secretary of an educational society by the TA and Hills Department on April 19 last year.

The source explained that as per a notice from the Director to the Commissioner of TA and Hills Department, it was mentioned that the State Government's share (10 percent or Rs 99 lakh) which was to be utilised for the construction of the boys hostel was to be instead utilised for the construction of the third storey of a hostel which belongs to the society.

The senior IAS officer who was the Director as well as the Commissioner of the Department, intimated ex-Dy CM Gaikhangam (who was in charge of TA and Hills Department) to give necessary approval to the said sanction and Gaikhangam without going through the necessary instructions laid down by the Ministry and without the approval of the Finance Department gave permission, the source claimed.

On further investigation, the Vigilance Department found that on August 22, 2016, the TA & Hills Department Executive Engineer Th Jilla, issued a work order of Rs.1,10,00,000 for the construction of the hostel at the society campus without any tender notice.

After finding prima facie evidence that the IAS officer, his wife and Gaikhangam have committed a crime under the Provision of Corruption Act 1988, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department took up a regular FIR against the three individuals last month and sent necessary notice to the individuals as well, the source added.

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