What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
AIZAWL: The lone BJP MLA in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, Dr. B.D. Chakma in a press conference held today at Atal Bhavan stated that since the inception of Mizoram’s three Autonomous District Councils, the fund in the form of grant-in-aid from the State government is released every four months on an installment basis in a financial year resulting in irregularities in disbursement of salaries to ADC employees.
He stated that the elected members of ZDistrict Councils (MDCs) are the worst sufferers of the system as their salaries hardly meet their requirements which are escalated by the constant public pressure to meet their petty demands like feeding guests, medical treatment, educational expenses, marriages, rites, and rituals, etc.
Dr. Chakma affirmed that this kind of routine public pressure leaves them with no options but to take salary advances from the Executive Secretary; with proper signatures against such pay advances that are always refunded from subsequent salaries. He also highlighted that this process is done in good faith and mutual understanding between the Executive Committee and the Executive Secretary.
Dr. Chakma further stated that when he was the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), the then Executive Secretary, Digambar Chakma used to tell his colleagues that, should they face any financial problems to meet the demands of the people of their constituent assemblies, salaries can be given in advance and that it was not illegal-citing Judgement Order Para 52 (5).
He mentioned that this clearly shows that he and his colleagues did not commit any illegality nor coerce the Executive Secretary or misuse any political influence
He alleged that the Executive Secretaries of the ADCs stated that forceful intimidation by the case Investigating Officer during their interrogation to implicate him and his colleagues; and questioned that if political influence and coercion were applied as the Executive Secretaries had mentioned, why were they not approached by the state secretaries.
Dr. BD Chakma also stated that the Executive Secretaries had not kept proper records of the advancements and reimbursements of salaries and instead of making them prime accused, the case Investigating Officer had turned them into prosecution witnesses.
On July 22, Dr. BD Chakma and 12 other people were convicted of political graft under Section 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The 13 people accused today after a complaint of corruption case of diverting and misuse of funds from Central Government worth Rs 15.41 crores for the development of CADC was submitted by the then General Secretary of BJP.
They were found guilty of misusing their power by diverting developmental funds from the Central government and fraudulently misappropriating Rs 15.41 crores. In 2017, a complaint was submitted to the Mizoram Governor by the then General Secretary of BJP over alleged gross financial irregularities and misuse of funds meant for developmental works.
All the accused have been bailed out after signing a bail bond of Rs. 20,000 each. It is worth mentioning that the accused booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act can avail of bail if he/she wants to appeal the Judgment Order.
