IT News
Imphal, July 14:
Supreme Court of India today quashed the Manipur Government order for re-engagement of Hijam Shantikumar and Ng. Subhachandra as Managing Directors of the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd. (MSPDCL) and Manipur State Power Company Ltd. (MSPCL).
A division bench of Supreme Court of India, comprising of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanuullah in a hearing today held Court No. 12 directed the state government to hand over the charge of Managing Directors of MSPCL and MSPCL to Dr. Shailesh Kumar Chourasia, IAS, who was given the same charge earlier by the Government within 24 hours.
It may be mentioned that both NG. Subhachandra Singh and Hijam Santikumar Singh were retired from Government Service upon attaining the age of Superannuation with effect from 28/2/2022 and 31/12/2022 respectively. Both were re-engaged to the two top posts by an order issued in the connection by Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Government of Manipur on July 4, 2023.
The bench comprising of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanuullah also passed orders to stay all proceedings, interim orders by Single bench, and a;; pending petitions before the Manipur High Court and the Guwahati High Court until next hearing in the SC. The Apex xourt also directed to the state government to complete the process of selection or appointment of the Managing Directors of MSPCL and the MSPDCL on or before the next hearing in the court provided that the selction should be done only after the Apex court provided leave.
Interestingly, Imphal Times had time and again highlighted that both Hijam Shantikumar and Ng. Subhachandra were involved in the alleged irregularities in implementing Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious scheme SAUBHAGYA and the alleged misappropriation of funds by the MSPDCL using sources from various authorities and finally by seeking information under the Right to Information Act,2005. In the continuous probe regarding the misuse of funds, Imphal Times’ special investigation has unmasked large-scale irregularities, manipulation, and misappropriation of the fund while implementing the Center’s flagship program, “Saubhagya” to the tune of over Rs 200 crores in Manipur.
It may also be mentioned that the Manipur Lokayukta in its order dated 24 November 2022, had stated, “the complainant also stated that officials, mentioned in the complaint case, of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited in collusion with the contracting firm did not implement the SAUBHAGYA scheme in true spirit as envisaged in the guidelines of the said scheme rather they have misappropriated crores of rupees of public money released by the Government of India for the welfare of the needy/poor people for their personal benefits and the poor entitled household of the scheme are not getting the benefit of the scheme.
This is a great mischief by the officials of MSPDCL to the people of Manipur. It is also mentioned in the complaint that the Saubhya scheme was closed at Rs. 192.70 crores much below the total work order amount of Rs. 203,86,62,219/ -. Therefore, it is clear that the full benefit of the said scheme does not reach the beneficiaries and the officials had become richer”.
It further adds, “For the foregoing reasons, we are of the considered view that there is a prima facie material for holding a preliminary inquiry as contemplated under section 20(1) of the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014. Accordingly, we direct the Inquiry Wing, Manipur Lokayukta to conduct a Preliminary Inquiry in light of the above observations and the preliminary inquiry report may be submitted within the period prescribed under the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014.”
There are various cases of Lokayukta recommending government to suspend Public Servant connected with allegation of corruption while making preliminary enquiry. But in our state our government is re engaging those public servants who are under inquiry for corruption cases.
