More skeletons emerge in Assam Construction Workers' Welfare Board

Probe into Rs 121 crore scam exposes huge irregularities

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER 

GUWAHATI, Nov 9: Many skeletons have tumbled out from the cupboard of Assam Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board during an investigation by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell into the Rs 121 crore scam that rocked the board. 

The CM’s Special Vigilance Cell during its investigation has found that though it is required for preparation of annual budget and submission of the same to the State government for sanction, no annual budget had been prepared and submitted for sanction by the Assam Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board from 2013-14 to 2015-16. The development was evident of huge fincial irregularities that rocked the board. 

The CM’s Vigilance Cell on Wednesday arrested Priyanshu Bairagi, proprietor of Purbashree Printing House, Patacharkuchi and prime accused in the scam. The inquiry report stated that then Labour Commissioner-cum-Member Secretary of Assam Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board Chohan Doley, the board chairman Gautam Baruwa and Administrative Officer NN Choudhury had entered into a “crimil conspiracy” in association with Bairagi, under which the latter was awarded two contracts — one for printing and supply of leaflets, folders etc and another for printing and supply of various forms and registers in between 2013 and 2016. The Vigilance Cell has already lodged its FIR before the Court of the Special Judge accusing all of them involved in the scam. Charges have been leveled under Sections 120(B)/406/409/468/471/420 of IPC and 13(2) P.C. Act 1988. 

The board was constituted by the State government to extend benefits and fincial assistance under various social welfare and security measures like death benefits, funeral, educatiol and medical assistance to construction workers. 

The CM Vigilance Cell, while detecting many irregularities in the tendering process by Assam Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board to award the contracts of executing its various schemes, has found that Priyanshu Bairagi submitted tender in the me of another printing press, mely Genesis Printers & Publishers Ltd by obtaining blank pad and documents from the latter. The seal and sigture bearing on the tender of Genesis Printers and Publishers Ltd was forged by Bairagi. 

During the inquiry, it was found that Purbashree Printing House did not have printing infrastructure for printing all the materials at their press. Purbashree Printing House, owned by Bairagi, printed various materials at other printing houses on the basis good relations and faith to siphon off funds. 

In another instance of fincial irregularity, the Vigilance Cell has found that Purbashree Printing House had shown supplied of 83134 booklets to then president of Lahowal block Congress committee, Dibrugarh in 2014. But no such order for delivery of the said booklets to Lahowal Block Congress committee is available in the file. It was also found that Purbashree Printing House resorted to unfair practices in printing materials for Assam Sarba Shiksha Abhijaan. Some officials of Sarba Shiksha Abhijaan, Assam are suspected to be involved in the scam.