November 17, 2018: The Chief Minister always stressed on transparency in governance – and time has come to prove that he really means it – let him order judicial inquiry into alleged malpractice in 6th NE Youth Fest. Addressing a press meet in Agartala Tripura Pradesh Congress Chief Birajit Sinha said this today. He alleged, no tender was floated paving way for looting the public money by unscrupulous elements – more importantly, ‘embezzlement’ of fund tarnished the image of the State.
In fact, 6th NE Youth Fest drew attention – almost immediately after inauguration on Nov 15 – for wrong reasons. Participants coming from other NE States had to face tough situation for lodging and boarding. Non-availability of food in adequate quantity shocked the people of the State. Media pointed out several instances of mismanagement and raised question about utilization of huge fund allocated for the Fest.
Blazing all his guns, Birajit Sinha alleged, concerned department at the behest of Political leaders siphoned off a huge amount of fund out of the allocated Rs 4 crore. Detailing further, Sinha said, “Funds was earmarked for total 1200 participants, however, only 629 candidates actually turned up for the event. Common sense suggests expenses to be less with less number of participants – what happened to earmarked amount?”
Continuing his tirade, Birajit Sinha said, organizers purchased pillows, mattress, bed covers and beds without floating tender. He alleged, Rs 90 lakh was spent for this purpose and the purchase was done without floating tender – this is a punishable offence. Taking a dig at expenses for campaigning, Sinha said, Rs 30 lakh was earmarked, however, barring few ‘welcome gates’ and flexes – no major campaign drive was noticed.
Incidentally, Sinha seems to be soft on Director Youth Affairs and Sports Udayan Sinha as he alleged, “Udayan Sinha is a mere spectator to all wrongdoings. Everything is being done by the party leaders”.
Sinha said Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who has promised transparent governance, must order judicial probe into the alleged malpractice in the North East Youth Festival to identify the wrong doings.
Meanwhile, Sinha also urged the Government to reduce Vat on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) so that private air lines show interest in operating flights to Agartala.
