PIL on corruption in PDS: Gauhati High Court gives State government three weeks to respond

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has granted three weeks to the State Government to reply to the writ petition filed by Amguri Naba Nirman Samity.

Amguri Naba Nirman Samity has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL/3/2022) highlighting corruption to the tune of Rs 288.16 crore during the utilization of government/public funds allotted to the Department of Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs for implementation of various government schemes meant for the poor people of the State, like the Mukhya Mantrir Anna Surakhsa Yojana (MMASY), Randhanjyoti Scheme, Mukhay Mantrir Samabay Sabalikaran Yojona, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and issuance of ration cards during the financial years from 01.01.2011 to 31.07.2012 (Rs 12.48 crore), 01.08.2012 to 31.12.2013 (Rs 8.45 crore), 01.01.2014 to 31.01.2016 (Rs 13.68 crore).

As per the Inspection Reports conducted and prepared by the Audit team on behalf of the Accountant General (Audit) Assam, a huge amount of government/public money, which were allotted for implementation of government schemes, have been intentionally misused/misappropriated. The petitioner NGO received the relevant documents regarding the Enquiry Reports etc. through RTI Act. Several representation/complaints have also been filed by the petitioner before the appropriate authority seeking legal/appropriate action against the corrupt officials. But to date no steps have been taken by the authorities concerned. The large-scale corruption has undoubtedly caused great loss to the State exchequer and also deprived the actual poor beneficiaries. Therefore, the Amguri Naba Nirman Samity filed the PIL to seek justice. The petitioner NGO, in the PIL, also referred to an enquiry conducted by a retired Judge of Gauhati High Court, Justice PG Agarwal, where certain findings had been recorded and suggestions given, which have not been implemented.

The Gauhati High Court has granted the State Government three weeks to reply to the PIL.

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