On minister’s exculsion Mizoram Governor seek ECI opinion

Aizawl: The Mizoram Governor has sought the opinion of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a plea seeking disqualification of minister Robert Romawia Royte for allegedly holding “office of profit”, an official said on Sunday.
The official said the governor had written to the ECI last week urging the polling panel to look into the petition filed by the opposition party Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), in which people There were calls to disqualify Royte for allegedly violating the Representation Act. To hold an office of profit.
He said that the Raj Bhavan has also sought opinion of ECI from the Governor for further consideration.

On February 28, ZPM filed a petition urging the governor to disqualify him from holding ‘office of profit’ by allegedly owning a consultancy firm that violated the RP Act. Worked on several contracts under Govt.
Royte is the Minister of State and holds various portfolios including sports and tourism in the current Mizo National Front (MNF) government led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

He has also recently been given the portfolio of District Council and Minority Affairs, which was earlier held by Cabinet Minister R Lalzirliana.

Despite repeated attempts, Rae could not be reached for comment.
The ZPM had alleged in its petition that Royte, the sole owner of North East Consultancy Services (NECS), was running his firm even after being elected to the state legislature in 2018 and paying Goods and Service Tax regularly. have been.
The petition alleged that the firm had executed a ‘deed of agreement’ with the state district council and the department of minority affairs in June 2022 to carry out works under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme. What was a permanent contract? for two years, which violated Section 9A of the RP Act.
It said the contract was awarded through ‘single source selection’ in violation of Mizoram Transparency in Public Procurement Act 2008 and Mizoram Public Procurement Rules 2020.

Royte has concealed in his affidavit the ongoing projects undertaken by his firm at the time of filing the nomination in 2018 and since NECS was approved as a listed firm by the state government in September 2022. Carrying out various projects, he alleged.
The petition alleged that the Minister’s receiving financial benefits through his firm is not only a ‘conflict of interest’ but also abuse of power and breach of public trust.
Although Royte’s son, Vanlalfelpuia Royte, was registered as the owner of the firm under GST in May 2019, the management and functioning of NECS is fully controlled by Royte, who also enjoys the financial benefits of the firms. is because Vanlalfelpuia is totally dependent and lives under one roof with his parents, the petition also said.