Shillong Feb 5: Former Meghalaya chief minister, and leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly, Dr Mukul Sangma slammed the MDA government for delaying a CBI probe as ordered by the Meghalaya Lokayukta into the alleged racket involving transportation of coal while also accusing the government of creating a cartel to engage in irregularities and corruption pertaining to mining and illegal transportation of coal.

“They have created this cartel and are using the officers as ponds. There is a complaint posted with the NGT pertaining to the manner in which they have a found a new way that facilitates illegal mining and transportation. I am referring to the process of seizing of unclaimed coal. The whole modus operandi is that, they have claimed that there is an unclaimed coal. But if there is an unclaimed coal or unclaimed property, there is a due process to verify the owner,” Sangma said.

Another modus operandi is that they proceed ahead with the public auction of the unclaimed coal, Sangma said.

“But one of the complaints say that when tried to verify the so-called unclaimed coal seized by the concerned authorities, it could not be found. It is a serious case as there no coal, but auction takes place. These are standing evidences of irregularities and actual cartel that this government has created. Officers are constantly told to do what they say, otherwise they will be removed. It is a serious, unacceptable distressful precedence being created, and I am telling you, there will be chaos, and this cartel will result in coming out of mafia and inter-group fighting. What is happening now, is dangerous for the future and I condemn it,” Sangma stated.

Sangma however said that nobody should think that they can just get away, because there are enough evidences with the people.

He also questioned the MDA government as to why it wanted to scuttle the order of the Lokayukta which is going precisely as per the law.

Stating one of the chief secretaries of Meghalaya was implicated and convicted in coal scam, Sangma said that none of the officers and those involved will go scot free.

“Therefore, it is time for them (officers) not to act as a pond in the cartel that has been created. Any attempt to hide and destroy evidence is punishable as per the relevant laws and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and there has also been a number of judgments by the Supreme Court pertaining to this. I would like to warn all those concerns that any attempt to engage in activities amount to facilitating this kind of corrupt practices and any attempt to further hide or destroy evidences of corruption that has taken place, will ultimately draw further response from all concerns,” the leader of opposition warned.

He assured that he would not allow the law to be defeated, and ensure that the whole spirit of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act stands tall and ensure probity among those associated with government departments and implementation of various programmes.