CID examines corruption charges against former CM

Shillong, Apr 18 (UNI) The CID has started examining papers related to corruption charges on former Meghalaya Chief Minister F A Khonglam for siphoning off several crore of rupees through Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP).

''We are on the process of examining the papers forwarded by the district police,'' DIG in-charge CID, B R Rana told UNI here today.

Infact, 16 villages had filed an FIR against a Block Development Officer and Dr Khonglam's agent after the Sohra People's Movement (SPM), an NGO, filed a RTI and found the embezzlement of public funds by the former Chief Minister.

The previous government had instituted a magisterial inquiry headed by A Nikhla into the matter and found financial irregularities involving the former Chief Minister, former BDO of Shella-Bholaganj, Israel Ingti and P Mawkhiew, the agent of Dr Khonglam from 2000 onwards.

According to the RTI findings, Mr Sawian alleged, the former Chief Minister, who failed to retain the Sohra Assembly seat, had misappropriated the SRWP funds of atleast Rs one crore.

The amount was withdrawn during 2000-03 in the names of beneficiaries, but most didn't receive the financial assistance, he said.

''Mr Ingti had withdrawn Rs 20 lakh, while Mr Mawkhiew withdrew Rs 80 lakh from SWRP scheme in the names of bogus beneficiaries after receiving authorisation certificate from the former Chief Minister,'' the SPM leader alleged.

Dr Khonglam, who is representing the Sohra Assembly constituency, for the three consecutive terms, was also facing corruption charge from the 11 traditional village heads.

The village heads have decided to jointly file an FIR seeking action against those involved in the ''scandal''.

However, the former Chief Minister has rubbished the allegation and termed it as ''baseless and without truth'' adding the RTI was being ''misused'' by his political opponents.

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