Guwahati, Jan. 21: The Assam Congress today said the questioning of former social welfare minister Akon Bora by the vigilance and anti corruption wing of police yesterday was part of the BJP government's "political conspiracy" at the behest of cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
"Sarma, who was a minister in our (Congress) government, is directly involved in the conspiracy. The BJP wants to malign the image of the Congress and the political career of Bora, a two-time minister," PCC general secretary Mukul Sarma said during a news conference called by Bora here today.
Bora, who served as social welfare minister between 2008 and 2015 in the erstwhile Tarun Gogoi government was questioned for nearly six hours yesterday on his role in the alleged swindling of over Rs 2,100 crore. The state government lodged an FIR after it came to light that some social welfare officials had been allegedly siphoning off Rs 150 crore a year from the government coffers for the past 15 years in the name of food for nine lakh children who do not exist. Besides, the names of 390 fake Anganwadi centres were fraudulently entered for siphoning off public money.
A case (19/2016) was registered by the vigilance and anti-corruption branch and 22 people, including some social welfare department officials, have been questioned.
The development has come as an embarrassment to the Congress at a time it is trying to corner the BJP-led state government over demonetisation and the Centre's move to grant citizenship to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh and other countries.
Bora, reiterating that he was unaware of any fake Anganwadi centres, passed the buck to the deputy commissioners, saying that the Directorate of Social Welfare handled matters related to the centres based on reports sent by the deputy commissioners.
"A minister is involved in policy decisions only and implementation is done by the director's office. I can only say that the funds sanctioned by the Centre under Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Integrated Child Development Scheme were spent as per the guidelines," he said.
When repeatedly asked by reporters if he, as the minister, was not responsible for activities in the department, Bora said, "If any anomalies had taken place, let the investigation reveal them and action will be taken accordingly."
Sources said Bora was questioned yesterday about release of funds to fake NGOs, irregularities in appointment of at least 20 child development project officers and fake Anganwadi centres during his tenure.
Sarma, who left the Congress and joined the BJP last year, could not be contacted for his reaction on the allegations by the Congress.
