Is the Chief Minister Aware of it?

Is the Chief Minister Aware of it?

What makes prompt probes lose pace?

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Following directives from Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, investigations against corrupt practices get started promptly in Assam. However, for some unknown reasons, most such investigations slow down and gradually come to a standstill. Strangely enough, the enthusiasm of many investigators vanishes into the thin air.

Examples were galore! There was much hue and cry over the alleged coal syndicate in the State last year. The Chief Minister was prompt enough to hand over its investigation to the CID. The CID conducted spot investigations — both in the Brahmaputra and the Barak valleys — leading to the arrest of many people, including 11 officials. However, even after six months of completion of the investigation, the investigating agency has not been able to file the charge sheet. What is more, the prosecution sanctions from the departments (to which the 11 arrested officials belong) have not been forthcoming. Even as the investigating agency writes to the government for the prosecution sanction against the 11 arrested officials, the prosecution sanctions have to come from the officials’ respective departments. They arrested 11 officials are employees of the departments of Tax, Revenue, and Transport. The departments have not been giving the prosecution sanctions, nor has the government put pressure on them. An unsolved mystery!

Take the Rs 2,000-crore Social Welfare Department scam. The investigation into the scam was started following a directive from the Chief Minister. The investigating agency grilled a number of people, including a former minister. However, nobody knows the present status of the investigation. However, the minister concerned, at whom the accusing finger in the scam is still pointed, has joined the BJP. And it’s all very hush-hush.

An investigation into the Rs 33-crore DIPR scam for anomalies in signboards and glow signboards at the fag-end of the last Congress tenure was also started following a directive from the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell conducting the investigation did arrest the director. However, the investigation seems to have stopped for no apparent rhyme or reason. Nobody knows the present status of the investigation.

Ordering investigations into corrupt practices is a good sign that speaks volumes of the goodwill of the power that be. However, the government is duty-bound to make such investigations meet their logical conclusions with tangible results, failing which the government loses funds and the people lose faith in the government.

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