With inputs from NDTV
New Delhi, Dec 13: Kiren Rijiju found himself in troubled waters when his name sprang up in a scam involving more than Rs 450 Crore in connection with the 600-MW hydro electric project in Arunachal Pradesh. Rijiju on his part however denied all allegations and called it planted news.
The hydro project refers to the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Electric Project, one of the biggest hydro-electric projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
Following the development Opposition Congress today demanded resignation of the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as there is “audio proof” and other evidence that he facilitated a 450-crore scam embedded in a huge hydro-electric project in his home state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Earlier this morning, Mr Rijiju, who is the junior Home Minister vociferously denied the charges, snapping “Those who are planting this news, if they come where we are, they will get hit with shoes. Is it corruption to try and help your people?” He also told NDTV that the Prime Minister’s Office has not sought any explanation from him.
Many biggies named
The 129-page report sent by Satish Verma, Chief Vigilance Officer-NEEPCO names Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju; his cousin, a contractor in Arunachal Pradesh, Goboi Rijiju; and several top officials of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), including its Chairman and Managing Director.
After receiving the report, the CBI on its part had sent teams for surprise visits twice since July, but are yet to file a case in this regard. And that’s not all, Verma himself has been transferred to the Central Reserve Police Force in Tripura for absence from duty. However, the CVO explains his absence was due to carrying out investigation work.
The conspiracy
Verma has said that contractor Patel Engineering Limited tried to siphon off money from the project by producing fake transportation bills and records. And the amount reportedly runs into ‘hundreds of crores of rupees’. The reimbursement of the bills was stopped after the report was filed. However, the MoS himself reportedly wrote to the Ministry of Power asking them to release the funds.
Goboi Rijiju, a sub-contractor in the project is reportedly to have met Verma after he had sent his report. He also offered the CVO ‘any help’ from the MoS in exchange for releasing the payments.
Rijiju to conduct probe
MoS Kiren Rijiju on his part does admit to writing a letter to Ministry of Power to release funds to Patel Engineering . But he claims it was on the basis of a petition he received from local contractors of the area. He claims to have no idea that it involved a scam. He is all in for a probe to punish the guilty.
‘If it is a scam, it must be probed and those responsible must be punished. I am totally against corruption.’