Meghalaya govt investigating into RIHS scam: Rymbai

Shillong, Dec 19 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai today said his government is still investigating into the embezzlement of funds for the central-sponsored Rural Innovative Housing Scheme(RIHS), in which former state Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Minister Beckstar Sangma is allegedly involved.

''The government is still investigating the matter,'' Mr Rymbai said, reacting to the demand made by former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader Purno A Sangma to arrest Mr Beckstar.

''We do not want to tarnish anyone's image. Let the government investigate and we will act accordingly,'' he added.

Soon after the former Lok Sabha Speaker unearthed the scam, the multi-coalition-led Congress Ministry had directed state Police Anti-corruption branch to investigate into the alleged scandals.

Sleuths of the anti-corruption branch have arrested at least two Block Development Officers, allegedly involved in the scam.

According to Mr Sangma, the government needs not to go for further inquiry into this scam, stating that the (former minister) had already acknowledged his misdeeds.

Denying that the former minister had returned the money to the state coffer, state Chief Secretary S K Tewari said ''Beckstar has never admitted his involvement in the case nor there was no report from the Block Development Officials of him returning the money.

In the recent months, the former Lok Sabha Speaker has unearthed the scam of about Rs 50 lakh by the former C&RD minister.

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