GUWAHATI: A case has been filed in Assam by the Chief Minister's Vigilance Cell against MP Ajit Bhuyan and 13 other people for their alleged participation in the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund scam.
“Based on information collected after preliminary inquiries, we lodged the case against Bhuyan and others under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, and some state legislations,” said Rosie Kalita, superintendent of police of the CM’s Special Vigilance Cell.
The FIR has been lodged for several charges, which include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, providing wrong information, cheating etc.
High-ranking officials like Hemanta Dutta and ACS Sharmistha Bora are among those who have been charged.
Four ACS officers were suspended in connection with the same issue earlier in March.
Ajit Bhuyan's MPLAD fund was used to construct a road in Barpeta, and there have been suspicions of money being used misappropriately from that fund.
It was determined that the project's bill was issued before 75% of the work had been finished.
The CM's Special Vigilance cell conducted an inquiry that led to the discovery of the fraud.
The investigation found that the four suspended officers had approved the project's bill before it was finished.
The money was distributed under the direction of the MP Construction Fund Committee, which was presided over by Additional Kamrup Commissioner Sukanya Bora.
The Rajya Sabha Member has set aside Rs 28 lakh from his MPLAD Fund for the building of three new roads in Barpeta. Furthermore, false invoices allegedly were made to extract the designated monies, but the roads were not built.
The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division is entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). Under the scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs.5 Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency.
The Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected.
The Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may select any one or more Districts from any one State in the Country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme. The Ministry has issued the guidelines on MPLADS Scheme including implementation and monitoring of the scheme. The Department has initiated all necessary steps to ensure that the scheme is successfully implemented in the field.
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