APW moves court against Nilomoni, Agriculture babus

Lime scam

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 21: The Assam Public Works (APW) today moved the court of special judge against former Agriculture minister Nilomoni Sen Deka, three top officers of the Agriculture department and a supplier in connection with an alleged Rs 224 lakh lime supply scam.

Besides Deka, the APW sought action against Md. Sanowar Hussain of M/s Star Agro Enterprise, Agriculture director Kabindra Borkakoti, Agriculture development officer Md. Mazam Ali Akanda and joint director Upen Borah.

The APW cited information received through RTI and alleged that the accused were involved in a lime supply scam in the fincial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.

"The Directorate of Agriculture, Khapara, Guwahati failed to provide details of the supply with relevant documents such as road permits, company bills/ challans, details of the firm etc. So we are seeking a proper investigation by an appropriate investigating agency to find out the truth," APW president Abhijit Sharma said.

He said that the special court, during its hearing today, observed that prosecution sanction was required as three of the accused were government servants.

The court will take up the case on October 3.

Meanwhile, the APW has urged the three government officers to confess their involvement in the "embezzlement" by October 3. "If they do not do it, we will be compelled to go to their houses and reveal their misdeeds to their family members to shame them. Corruption should be checked from home," Sharma said.