Tripura Government to launch series of investigation

A Correspondent

Agartala, March 29:  The BJP-led Tripura government has decided to launch investigation into various irregularities that took place during the Left-Front regime, ranging from illegal construction of party offices, occupying of government lands, corruption in the implementation of the government projects including the MGNREGA and the killing of Congress leader Atish Choudhury.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb once said that his government didn’t want to look back and had asked all his ministers to look forward to make Tripura a model State within three years.

However, the government has decided to take up certain cases where serious irregularities took place during the Left rule.

The series of investigation were announced in and outside the Assembly during the last two days of the Assembly session.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb, who is also holding the Home portfolio, told the State Assembly that the government would probe into the illegal construction of the CPI (M) party offices across the State.

Deb made the announcement following the allegations levelled by several MLAs. “It’s a matter of law and the law is equal for all. If BJP indulges in such illegal activities, they too will not be spared,” the Chief Minister added.

Deb also ordered for a special investigation into the sensatiol murder of a Congress leader Atish Choudhury allegedly by the CPI (M) workers immediately after the announcement of election results in 1993 when the Left Front returned to power defeating the Congress.

The investigation was ordered following a petition filed by the victim’s son, who was a minor at that time and an eye witness.

Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarma has called for a special audit in all the 58 blocks over the alleged irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA projects.

He said that the officials could not file any document regarding the spending of Rs 140 crore. In several blocks in South Tripura, ginger valued crores of rupees were purchased for which no valid documents were available, Debbarma alleged.  

“The auditors faced problems as the officials failed to furnish documents. Hence, it is necessary to have another special audit to get a clean picture. The process for the special audit will begin from April next,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Debbarma said that there were serious lapses in the selection of the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yoja, where political considerations got an upper hand. He also demanded for a through revision of the list in order to unearth such irregularities.