Home Minister Kumar Waii questions BJP on fund misuse in polls

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Accusing the BJP-led State Government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu of pumping in huge amount of funds for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Home Minister Kumar Waii has sought clarification from the Chief Secretary of the State’s financial status.

When the State Government had issued cheques to contractors against sanctioned schemes of Central sponsored schemes, State annual development agenda and State Infrastructure Development Funds (SIDF) and kept all cheques with April 30 as validity on hold due to elections on April 11 last, why the embargo has not been lifted even after the polls are over, he questioned.

Talking to media persons here, he produced the copy of letter sent to the CS on Wednesday urging him to lift the ban and clarify reasons for continuing the ban till date, particularly Rs 800 SIDF schemes against which letters of credit (LoCs) were issued.

Pointing out that such money flow was not seen in any past elections as was proved during seizure of Rs 1.8 crore cash from CM’s motorcade in Pasighat by IT sleuths on April 2 last and buying of single vote for up to Rs 4 to 5 lakh, he said that the contractors and other affected people are raising doubts if the government diverted plan funds to non-plan heads for misuse or else why the ban on issued cheques would continue though not within the purview of model code of conduct?” “Why contractors’ payments have not been cleared for last two years if the coffer is not empty?” he said, adding some might go to court to seek redressal.

He questioned “Is this the proof of transparency always advocated by the CM?” Any government is expected to work for socio-economic development of the state and its people, if CM Khandu reflecting his incapability should quit to pave the way for someone to shoulder the responsibility, said Waii, who contested from Bameng assembly in East Kameng district seat on a NPP ticket.

The fund flow by the BJP candidates would be the cause of failure of their rivals of other parties, he claimed. The NPP is a coalition partner of North East Democratic Alliance.

Also read: Arunachal news