Aruchal BJP accuses MLA of embezzlement, Karbak claims innocence

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, June 26: Firing a salvo at opposition Congress, the BJP in Aruchal Pradesh has alleged embezzlement of fund to the tune of Rs 2.29 crore by the former chairman of Aruchal Pradesh Building and other Construction Worker’s Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB) for his election expenditure.

Armed with documents, state unit BJP vice president Techi Necha has alleged Liromoba MLA Nyamar Karbak who was the chairman of the Board of illegally withdrawing Rs 2.29 crores for his election expenditure last year from the Board’s account.

Necha in a statement while launching a scathing attack on the Congress demanded for immediate arrest of the persons involved in the fraudulent withdrawal case.

Informing that the amount was withdrawn from SBI Aalo branch of the board from Ac No 33014419126, without any authorization and was later transferred to the accounts of M/S B B Steel & Corporation’s proprietor Beli Bagra (Ac No 33895514376) and M/S K T Brothers power of attorney holder Pradeep Mishra (Ac No 32266540718), Necha added that the amount was withdrawn and transferred on February 11 last year, two days before by-poll to Liromoba constituency.

“The Interl audit team of the APB&OCWWB also reveals that without authorization the amount was withdrawn from SBI Aalo, instead of Ganga branch Itagar,” Necha said adding, the withdrawal of such a large amount from the savings bank account of the Board took place due to the sudden demise of former chief minister Jarbom Gamlin who was the then MLA of Liromoba.

“All of this happened suddenly after the Chief Election Commission of India issued a notification for bye elections for the purpose of filling the vacancy,” claimed Necha.

Meanwhile, expressing shock over the allegations, Karbak has claimed that the allegations were nothing but a conspiracy to defame him and he is ready to face any enquiry to prove himself innocent.

“The allegations leveled against me stating that I have misused my official power as chairman of APB&OCWWB and having withdrawn huge amount of money from the board’s account to win the last bye-election is false and baseless,” a statement from Karbak said adding that he had already resigned from the post of APB&OCWWB to contest the bye elections.

“The chairman of the board does not sign or issue any cheques, drafts etc. nor can he transfers the board’s funds from one account to another as he is not a sigtory in the bank transactions of the board. The huge amounts shown to be transferred to the accounts of M/s B B Steel Corporation and M/s K T Enterprises at SBI, Aalo has nothing to do with me as I am neither the proprietor nor attorney holder of the said firms or have any connections with the,” the statement further read.

“It is only a co-incidence that some amounts were transferred prior to the polling day i.e. February 13, 2015, but it can be seen that transfers were made even after the polling day and also in the month of September 2015 after the election was over,” Karbak added giving a breakup of the amount transfers.

The Liromoba MLA also went on to claim that when he became the chairman of the board again after winning the elections, it was he who initiated to take actions against the banks, as the home branch of the board is the SBI, Ganga Branch whereas the transactions were made from SBI, Aalo without the authorization and sigture of the board officers.