Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on February 21 alleged that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government was involved in a land scam in Mawpdang involving over Rs 140 crores, but which was summarily rejected by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
The party also called for an immediate probe into the scam demanding accountability from the government for the gross misuse of the state’s resources.
The revelations were made by TMC legislature party leader Mukul Sangma during a press conference held at the party’s office in Lower Lachaumiere.
“The MDA – which I will refer as Meghalaya Deceitful Alliance – has once again engaged in looting the state through purchase of around 807 acres of land in Mawkhanu village of Mawpdang,” Sangma said.
The former chief minister alleged said that the government had the middleman purchase the land from innocent villagers at a throwaway price of Rs 45 per square feet, and then purchased it for Rs 85 per square feet.
He said that the rates were approved by the cabinet on October 4, 2021.
“The Minister-In-Charge for Urban Affairs piloted this proposal and [it was] appropriately approved by the Department of Revenue. All cabinet items are approved by the chief minister,” Sangma pointed out.
He said that documents show that the three persons – the chief minister, revenue minister and urban affairs minister – entered into a criminal conspiracy to rob the state of such a huge amount of money – Rs 140 crores – which could have been given to the innocent landowners.
He said that the central government must take cognisance of the matter.
“While addressing an election rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah went hammer and tongs alleging that the state is active in corruption. He referred to Meghalaya as the number one corrupt state in the country. This has defamed the state and its people. Corruption is not our way of life. Our people are not that greedy. I would urge him to take immediate cognisance of this alleged corruption. Let there be immediate investigation into this [massive land scam]” he said.
The leader of the opposition said that the kind of alleged corruption of this scale cannot happen without the patronage of the people in authority.
According to him, corruption is more crippling and deadlier than terrorism even as he added that there will be no more resources left for development or to create jobs.
The TMC leader also said that as the main opposition party and as the only political alternative in the state, it was their duty to expose the corrupt, inept, and incompetent MDA government.
The leader of opposition also said that the government was answerable to the people for buying land at extremely inflated rates when the villagers had sold their ancestral property for half the amount.
He did not divulge the identity of the middleman nor the time lag between the purchase and sale of the land, which could indicate whether the escalation was justifiable.
Meanwhile, National People’s Party (NPP) national vice president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong categorically denied the allegation.
“When we acquired (the land), the assessment was done by the district collector, by revenue department; there are procedures in place to be followed before the cabinet gives its approval,” Tynsong told reporters.
He also questioned Mukul Sangma on making frequent allegations. “I am afraid he may lose the election,” Tynsong said.
The deputy chief minister said he was certain that till February 26, the leader of opposition will come up with new allegations against the NPP adding, “But from February 27, he will go and sleep. He will not talk anymore about the allegations because the voting will end at 4 pm February 27,” he said.