Shillong, Dec 20: The AITC national spokesperson, Saket Gokhale has sought action against the alleged cash distribution by NPP minister Dasakhiat Lamare.
In a letter to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday, Gokhale pointed out to the inquiry ordered by the Chief Electoral Officer and entrusted to the East Khasi Hills District administration regarding reports of Lamare allegedly distributing cash to people in Nongkrem.
“As of October 2022, Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong had said that the final enquiry report was awaited from the East Khasi Hills District Administration. However, till date, the final enquiry report has not been made public”, he said.
He said while the Deputy CM Tynsong claimed that distribution of cash before the model code of conduct is not illegal, it may be noted here that distributing cash without any receipt amounts to serious violations of several laws including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, he said, adding that it is the responsibility of the district administration and the police to ensure that black/unaccounted cash is not being laundered and distributed to people.
Moreover, when a cabinet minister allegedly distributes cash to people, there are serious questions over the source of the money and the legitimacy of the cash, he said.
Keeping a check on black money and its alleged laundering through distribution of cash amongst people is the responsibility of the district administration to probe and report to the Enforcement Directorate under the PMLA, 2002″, he added.
He wanted the deputy commissioner to state whether the final inquiry report into allegations of cash distribution by cabinet minister Lamare has been submitted to the state government.
He also urged the deputy commissioner to furnish a certified copy of the inquiry report submitted to the government and the Chief Electoral Officer.
The party leader wanted the DC to state whether the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was informed about the allegations of cash distribution and whether a copy of the final inquiry report was submitted to the ED.
“As the Meghalaya Assembly elections, 2023 are approaching, you are requested to kindly respond to the aforementioned points and this representation urgently in order to prevent any kind of “corrupt practice” as defined under the Representation of The People Act, 1950 and in order to ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair”, Gokhale said in the letter to the DC.
