Contractor arrested

Our Correspondent

Silchar, April 1: Gautam Gupta, a high profile contractor based in Hailakandi, has been arrested from his Kalibari road residence by Hailakandi police for his involvement in extensive corruption and embezzlement of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yoja. He took the contract of construction of 5 roads under the PMGSY. But it has been alleged by the members of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) that no work only pouring of a few trucks of sand, were done. The misuse of money has cost Gautam Gupta dear at the crunch.

The issues related to the corrupt practises of Gautam Gupta were discussed at a recently held district development committee meeting which was presided over by Dr S Lakshman, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar. This issue was also brought up by Katlichera MLA Sujam Uddin Laskar before the Vidhan Sabha. The Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, Adil Khan,  has also been anxious to know about the construction work taken by Gautam Gupta. It is pertinent to mention here that he was former minister Goutom Roy’s persol secretary and his close associate. He inched his way into politics and earned himself a license for construction through the minister’s patroge.

Hailakandi MLA Anwar Hussain Laskar said, “Arresting Gautam Gupta will not solve the issue. He has been used time and again. These contractors are helpless and have no fault of their own. Other big fishes are swimming freely. Politicians have sapped the vitality of Barak Valley. Corrupt politicians, with whom he was associated, should be put behind the bars. Gautam Gupta succumbed to pressure and demand created by others. The real culprit should be arrested immediately. Gautam Gupta was a good and honest man. He was made thus by a handful of political leaders who used them for their ulterior motives.”