Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday refuted claims of alleged corruption in a hydro-electric project in Arunachal Pradesh, saying “those planting such news will be beaten with shoes”.
Irregularities were reported by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) that Kiren Rijiju, his cousin Goboi Rijiju and others top officials were involved in an "elaborate conspiracy" for construction of two dams in Arunachal Pradesh.
According to a news report, the 600 MW Kameng hydro-electric project is being set up in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district, which is Kiren Rijiju's parliamentary constituency. The minister's cousin is one of the sub-contractors in the project, though the former has denied this.
Earlier on Tuesday, the minister told the media that he was not related to Goboi but later went back on his claim.
The Curious Case
In July this year, CVO Satish Verma had submitted a 129-page report to the CBI, Central Vigilance Commission and the Ministry of Power stating that contractors, NEEPCO officials and the local district administration had allegedly tried to siphon off NEEPCO and government funds, which "may extend up to Rs 450 crore". Though CBI conducted two "surprise checks", no FIR has been registered.
Following his submission, Verma then faced the wrath of the NEEPCO, which cited "unauthorised absence" as the reason for his transfer to the CRPF in Tripura.
An Indian Express report states that Kiren Rijiju sent a letter to Ministry of Power on 4 November 2015, asking it to release funds to the contractor and the sub-contractors. Verma, reportedly, is in possession of an audio CD of his meeting with Goboi Rijiju on 29 Decemeber 2015, “in which the latter is heard pushing the officer to clear the payments and offering “any help you need from Bhaiya (the Minister).”
The minister took to Twitter posting the letters and asking if helping the poor is corruption.
Opposition Says Rijiju Must Resign, BJP Hits Back
During a press conference on Tuesday, the Congress released a 28-minute audio recording as ‘proof’ against Rijiju.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the CBI a “puppet of the Modi government” as the probe agency had allegedly failed to act in the matter.
He also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his “tall claims” of bringing transparency have “fallen flat”, as, Surjewala said, had happened with several other scandals in the past, including the Vyapam scam, Lalitgate and the Vijay Mallya row.
It has also demanded a detailed “fair and free” probe into the case and that the minister should resign till an independent investigation is carried out.
Rijiju has rejected Congress’ allegations, calling them “baseless” and “false”. He has also demanded that the Congress issue an apology to him.
Rejecting graft charges against its minister, the BJP said that the Congress was trying to blame the Union Minister for its “sins” as it was in power at the Centre as well as in Arunachal Pradesh when the project under question was sanctioned.
The Aam Aadmi Party has also called for the Union minister to be sacked for "trying to sweep under the carpet", the alleged Rs 450-crore power scam.
(With inputs from Indian Express, ANI and PTI)
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