In massive land scam of 140 Crore TMC accuses NPP-led MDA govt

Shillong: The Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday accused the NPP-led MDA government of a massive land scam in Mawpdang involving financial irregularities of over Rs 140 crore.

The party also called for an immediate probe into the scandal, holding the corrupt MDA government accountable for its misappropriation of state resources.
The allegations were made after a press conference held by TMC legislature party leader Mukul Sangma, Meghalaya TMC state vice-president James Lyngdoh and Meghalaya TMC students’ union president Bansharailang Pyngrope at the state party office in Lower Lachaumiere on Tuesday.
“The MDA – which I will refer to as the Meghalaya Fraudulent Coalition – is once again engaged in the process of looting the state by buying about 807 acres of land in Mawkhanu village in Mawpdang. The government bought the land from middlemen, Cheated innocent land owners and villagers of Rs 45 per sq ft, and then paid middlemen Rs 85 per sq ft,” said Dr Sangma.
He added, “The rates were decided by the Cabinet on October 4, 2021. The Minister-in-charge of Urban Affairs initiated the proposal and it was duly approved by the Revenue Department. All Cabinet items were approved by the Chief Minister.
He added, “So, the documents show that three persons – the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister, and the Urban Affairs Minister – have entered into a criminal conspiracy to loot such a huge amount – Rs 140 crore – from the state. Innocent land. given to the owners.

The MTC described the process as an “unholy nexus” between the NPP-led MDA government and state brokers.
Sangma said that the central government should take notice of the matter.
Addressing an election rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that the state was active in corruption. He called Meghalaya the No. 1 corrupt state in the country. This has brought the name of the state and its people into disrepute. Corruption is not our way of life. Our people are not that greedy. I would request them to take immediate notice of this alleged corruption. Let there be an immediate investigation into this [massive land scam”, he said.
The Leader of the Opposition also said that the Meghalaya land scam is just an addition to the growing number of corruption cases being perpetrated by the NPP-BJP government, including the Saubhagya scam, the Smart Meter scam, and the Assembly Dome collapse scam.
“Alleged corruption of this scale cannot happen without the patronage of those in power… Corruption is more destructive and deadly than terrorism. No more resources are left to generate development or employment opportunities. Through terrorism, people are affected. But when you rob the state and cripple its economy, you are robbing every citizen and future generations,” said Dr. Sangma.
The Meghalaya TMC leader said that as the main opposition party and the only political alternative to the state, it is his duty to expose the corrupt, incompetent and incompetent MDA government.

He also said that the government is accountable to the people for buying land at exorbitant prices when the villagers had sold their ancestral property for half the amount.
“The land scam is a reflection of what is happening in the state… We have seen how corruption has paralyzed various countries… I wanted to urge people to come together and make the state a reality for these people. Save from the hands of those who are responsible for making us a state infamous for being No. 1 in corruption,” he said.