Gohain writes to CVC seeking probe

Kharkongor qualification row

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 7: Union Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain today claimed that he sought the intervention of the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) after he received a complaint that AG West Kharkongor did not have the required qualification when he was NEEPCO’s Director (Fince).

Kharkongor later on went to become the Chairman and Maging Director (CMD) of NEEPCO.

“I did not support anyone,” Gohain told mediapersons on the sidelines of the one day Digi Dhan Mela held in the city today.

“I only sent a letter (to the CVC) on a complaint that false documents were submitted to get the post,” Gohain said.  

“I just wrote the letter requesting them to enquire into the matter,” he added.

It may be mentioned that in a letter addressed to the CVC, New Delhi on February 24 this year, the Union Minister of State for Railways, who, in the capacity of the chairman then, parliamentary committee on the welfare of other backward classes, sought the intervention of CVC to take action against Kharkongor.

The letter said that it had been brought to his notice that Kharkongor applied for the post of Director in 2009 stating his educatiol qualifications as B.Tech (IIT Bombay), and PGDM-Fin (IIM Calcutta) equivalent to MBA (Fince). The Union minister in his letter, however, wanted his identity to be kept secret by the CVC. According to the letter, the application of Kharkongor was in response to an advertisement dated November 29, 2009 for the selection to the post of Director (Fince), NEEPCO with qualifications of Cost Accountant/Chartered Accountant/MBA with specialization in fince with good academic record from a recognized University/Institution.

According to Gohain, Kharkongor had made a declaration that he is PGDM-Fin (IIM Calcutta) and equivalent to MBA Fince.

“This declaration is false. The certificate issued by IIM to him states that he is post graduate diploma in magement and not PGDM-Fince. Thus it is apparent that a fraud has been committed by Kharkongor thereby usurping public employment at a responsible position which could have gone to a deserving candidate,” Gohain had said in the letter.