STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Most of the directives being issued by the Chief Minister from time to time end up without getting the desired outcome due to their tardy execution or lack of follow-up moves. Some of the directives even never see the light of the day. One such directive that has been stuck in a time warp is the inquiry into the alleged illegal movement of coal in the State.
There had been a hue and cry in the State on the alleged illegal movement of coal in the State in early 2018. The situation prompted Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to issue a directive to the CID to inquire into the alleged illegal movement of coal. The CID caught coal-laden trucks leading to the arrest of 16 people, including government officials. The investigative agency completed the investigation and framed charges against the 16 accused. In accordance with the standing rules, the CID moved the government seeking prosecution sanctions against the accused government officials. A year has already elapsed, but the prosecution sanctions have not been received by the CID as yet.
According to rules, departments concerned are the ones that have to issue prosecution sanctions against their accused officials when sought for. However, in this particular case even as the CID completed its investigation with the required agility the process has got stuck on the issue of prosecution sanction. According to standing rules, the government should issue the prosecution sanctions within three months. If it rejects the plea for prosecution sanction, it has to let the investigative agency know the reason for rejection within three months. The government can't keep the decision pending for a long time. However, in this case the government is quite mum. Maybe, Chief Minister is not aware of the progress of the CID's investigation into the alleged illegal movement of coal or the departments concerned don't want any trial of the matter in the court.
In 2018, the CID caught six coal-laden trucks in Digharkhal check-gate in Cachar district and Koina-dhora check-gate at Khanapara in Guwahati on the charge of carrying the consignments without any valid documents. Two enforcement inspectors, two assistant enforcement inspectors, an enforcement checker, an inspector of taxes and a circle officer were arrested in that connection. During the investigation it was reported that there had been a politician-police-transport nexus.
The moot question is that: whose skin is being saved by the not giving the prosecution sanction to the accused officials?
Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 24th June, 2020