Chamling,ministers may face assets case

CBI seeks chief secys nod to file cases against them.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and several ministers in his Cabinet may soon face anti-corruption cases as the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has sought the go-ahead to proceed against them.

The agency has sent a request letter to Chief Secretary T T Dorji seeking sanction to register a formal case,and has attached a report having details of properties amassed by Chamling and some MLAs while being in power.

Various public servants holding posts of Chief Minister and MLAs,during the period from 1999 to 2009 in Sikkim,have indulged in various corrupt practices and have acquired disproportionate assets, says the CBI letter a copy of which is with The Indian Express sent in October. Sikkim Democratic Front SDF leader Chamling has been the Sikkim Chief Minister since 1994.

The CBI has alleged that while being an MLA as well as Chief Minister from March 1985 to 2009,Chamling has acquired assets to the tune of Rs 4,13,88,578 in his own name as well as in the name of his family members and others.

He has also allegedly amassed many assets worth approximately Rs 23 crore in Sikkim and outside by abusing his official position.

The CBI has also alleged that while he was Minister of Power during 2004-2009,he awarded 26 hydro-electric power projects to different companies in violation of norms. All such projects had been awarded to his business partners,and in the dealings,he allegedly earned illegal gratification which he invested in acquiring movable and immovable properties in Sikkim and outside in his name,and in the name of his relatives,friends and confidants, notes the CBI report.

Also,Chamling allegedly awarded a contract worth Rs 4.36 crore for the construction of a multi-span bridge over Teesta River at Makha-Yangang in East Sikkim. Despite the fact that work on the bridge was yet to commence,the entire fund was released under his instructions, says the CBI report,adding that the same thing happened while awarding the contract for another bridge worth Rs 13.37 crore to one Mahavir Prasad.

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The CAG has also come down heavily on Chamlings favouritism to business ventures of his relatives,which has caused a huge loss to the state exchequer.

In its report,the CAG mentioned that NAYUMA Cables which provides cable services in Sikkim is owned by Indramaya Rai,younger sister of Tilamaya Chamling,who is second wife of Pawan Chamling,and the company has deliberately concealed to disclose the real number of subscribers in the state to evade tax liability. The NAYUMA claimed only 170 subscribers in the state while it has actually 22,000 subscribers in its list.