Give reply in three weeks: Gauhati High Court to Centre & Dispur

'HUGE FUND MISAPPROPRIATION IN SAR AREAS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: On the alleged misappropriation of crores of rupees sanctioned for various development works in the sar (riverine) areas across the State, the Gauhati High Court has directed the Centre and also the Assam government, besides six other respondents – including the Director of 'Char Areas Development' – to give their replies to the Court within three weeks in this regard.

This direction has been given by a Bench of the Court comprising Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak after it heard the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) '48/2021' filed by an NGO (Non-Government Organisation) – 'Amguri Naba Nirman Samity'.

Taking up the matter through video conferencing, the Bench directed all the respondents to file their replies within three weeks. The next hearing on the case is slated for September 10, 2021.

Mentionably, in the PIL (Public Interest Litigation), the Petitioner alleged misappropriation of huge funds and corruption in the implementation of various schemes under the 'Directorate of Char Areas Development, Assam'.

The petitioner further alleged that such corruption "took place only because of the malafide intention of the State government officials entrusted with the responsibility to implement the said schemes".

Further, seeking a high-level inquiry into the whole matter, the petitioner sought a direction from the High Court, stating that the alleged "huge corruption" has adversely affected "the poor genuine beneficiaries of the char/chapori areas of the State".

The petitioner also maintained that as a result these beneficiaries have been deprived of their rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and other Laws of the Land.

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