Gogoi, minister faceoff over scam allegation

Sep 03, 2011 - MANOJ ANAND |

Age Correspondent

GUWAHATI

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Friday said that he is going to call an explanation from senior Cabinet minister Ardhendu Dey for accusing him of delaying a file of `270 crores scam in the irrigation department of Assam.

Talking to reporters, Mr Gogoi said, “A Cabinet minister has direct access to me so he may come directly to me with files instead of saying this in media.”
Hours before chief minister’s press conference, Assam irrigation minister Ardhendu Dey told reporters that files recommending high level probe in `270 crores scam in allotment of minor irrigation schemes have been sent to chief minister’s office for his approval but it is yet to be approved.
In what irked the chief minister most, Mr Dey also said that his department has resolved to complete the pending works of last 15-20 years in next two months. The remarks of the minister on previous governments was obviously embarrassing for the chief minister who in turn said, he should focus on his work instead of scoring political points.
As reporters insisted on chief minister to clarify charges, Mr Gogoi said that trust me, no such file has come to my office.
The file is about rampant corruption in allotment of work order worth `270 crores for minor irrigation schemes by an Officer on Special Duty Inamul Haque in the irrigation department in previous regime of the Gogoi government. The OSD who joined the Congress party is now MLA. The issue came up for discussion in the Assam Assembly also but minister succeeded in defusing the situation by persuading the chief minister for a high level enquiry by CBI or any other agency.

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