The Assam police have arrested suspended civil servant Sukanya Borah in connection with the MPLAD fund scam after months of evading custody.
Borah, who was absconding since her anticipatory bail plea got rejected in May 2022, was taken into custody on Wednesday following extensive grilling by the state’s Special Vigilance Cell.
The former bureaucrat has been accused of amassing disproportionate assets by falsely declaring her mother as mentally ill. She owns significant movable and immovable properties across Assam.
Two other officials – retired PWD engineer Samed Ali and Deputy Conservator of Forests Bhaskar Deka were also nabbed for non-cooperation during questioning. The scam involved alleged misappropriation of MP funds sanctioned by Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan for a road project in Barpeta district.
Premature payment was cleared before completion of 75% work. Borah was among four suspended officers responsible for wrongfully approving the payment in violation of guidelines.
The arrests mark major headway into the high-profile corruption case that has caused embarrassment for the Assam government while underscoring the need for greater accountability in governance.
What is MPLAD Scheme ?
The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division is entrusted with the responsibility of implementation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). Under the scheme, each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs.5 Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency.
The Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected.
The Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may select any one or more Districts from any one State in the Country for implementation of their choice of work under the scheme. The Ministry has issued the guidelines on MPLADS Scheme including implementation and monitoring of the scheme. The Department has initiated all necessary steps to ensure that the scheme is successfully implemented in the field.