Officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) yesterday night raided the head office of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and seized several documents related to the implementation of Saubhagya scheme in Meghalaya.
Sources said that the ED officials seized tenders, bidding documents and other papers connected with the Rs 236 crore Saubhagya scheme from the MeECL head office at Lum Jingshai here.
It may be mentioned that the central electrification scheme is being implemented by Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MPDCL).
“We suspect that the case is related to money laundering,” sources said.
The ED has its sub-zonal office in Shillong which functions under the zonal office-II located in Guwahati.
Implementation of the Saubhagya scheme in Meghalaya has been tainted by corruption allegations.
The controversy has also led to the stripping of the power portfolio from cabinet minister James Sangma in September 2021.
The opposition Congress had alleged that implementation of Saubhagya was a “big scam” and conditions in the tendering process have been made in such a way to ensure that bidders of their choice win the contract.
The party also alleged that only one bidder has qualified for the work initially estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore and later, an additional 18 per cent of the estimated cost was added which amounts to Rs 36 crore.
The party had also alleged that that work allotment has been given at more than 50 per cent of the actual cost reflected as per the Schedule of Rates (SOR). It also alleged several irregularities in the preparation and payment of bills for the scheme.
Recently, the Independent Inquiry Committee set up by the State government has submitted its report on the implementation of Saubhagya and other schemes by MeECL including procurements.
Justice R N Mishra, a retired High Court judge was appointed as chairman of the committee, retired IAS officer Manoj Kumar as administrative member and retired REC Executive Director Sunil Kumar as technical member.
The inquiry committee was constituted by the government following public outcry regarding alleged corruption and nepotism involving the high and mighty in the Power Department and MeECL in the implementation of Saubhagya and other schemes.
However, the State government has not yet revealed the findings of the inquiry committee and its recommendations.
