Opp AITC writes to EKH DC over allegation of cash distribution by cabinet minister

SHILLONG, DEC 20: The national spokesperson of the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Saket Gokhale has sought to know the action taken by the district administration against the alleged cash distribution by cabinet minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare to the people of Nongkrem constituency.

In a letter to East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner I Laloo on Tuesday, Gokhale said, “You’re, therefore, requested to state whether the final enquiry report into allegations of cash distribution by cabinet minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare has been submitted to the state government.”

“State whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was informed about the allegations of cash distribution and whether a copy of the final enquiry report was submitted to the ED,” he said.

Stating that the 2023 Assembly polls are approaching, Gokhale urged the deputy commissioner to give her response in order to prevent any kind of “corrupt practice” as defined under the Representation of The People Act, 1950 and in order to ensure that the upcoming election are free and fair.

Gokhale said that the despite the statement of the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in October that the final enquiry report was awaited from the East Khasi Hills district administration, till date, the report has not been made public.

It may be mentioned here that the complaint against the alleged cash distribution was referred to the DC by the Meghalaya chief electoral officer (CEO).

The AITC leader said, “While Deputy CM Tynsong claims that distribution of cash before the Model Code of Conduct is not illegal, it may be noted here that distributing cash without any receipt amounts to serious violations of several laws including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.”

He continued: “It is the responsibility of the district administration and the police to ensure that black/unaccounted cash is not being laundered and distributed to people. Moreover, when a cabinet minister allegedly distributes cash to people, there are serious questions over the source of the money and the legitimacy of the cash.”

Keeping a check on black money and its alleged laundering through distribution of cash amongst people is the responsibility of the district administration to probe and report to the Enforcement Directorate under the PMLA, 2022, he further asserted.