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CNN-IBN
Exclusive on Chamling |
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SIT: Sikkim CM, in
multi-crore property scam
Siddhartha Gautam / CNN-IBN
Time Published on Wed, Apr 09, 2008 at 20:16,
Updated at Wed, Apr 09, 2008 in Nation section
Gangtok: A Rs 4 crore complex in Gangtok's Main
Market, a Rs 1 crore building in Namchi, a
palace in the hills of south Sikkim — these are
just three of the many assets CNN-IBN's Special
Investigation Team have discovered belonging to
relatives of Sikkim's Chief Minister, Pawan
Kumar Chamling.
A seven-storeyed hotel in Gangtok is owned by
Chamling's sister-in-law, Puspa Lata, a showroom
is owned by his younger son Bijay, and a
restaurant is the property of by his elder son
Bikash.
In 2003, Chamling had told the Election
Commission he only owned assets worth a little
over Rs 2 crore.
So the question is: Where is the money coming
from for his flats, buildings, showrooms and
hotels that have sprung up across Sikkim?
BJP Party President, Sikkim, H R Pradhan says,
"The interesting thing is that he has got
property in the name of his first wife, his
second wife, himself and his children."
When the SIT asked Chamling for an interview to
explain his assets, he accepted at first.
CNN-IBN SIT: "We need just ten minutes with
you."
Chamling: "Yes, sure."
But after CNN-IBN's cameras were switched off,
Chamling told his bodyguards to keep the team
away.
Chamling has been Chief Minister of Sikkim for
14 years during which he has been frequently
accused of corruption by the Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG) of India.
The latest CAG reports — released last month —
says Sikkim lost over Rs 375 crore due to
corruption just last year. But with 31 of
Sikkim's 32 MLAs supporting Chamling, the
state's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has
virtually ignored the CAG reports.
Spokesperson, Sikkim government, C B Karki says,
"The CAG has filed a report, now it will go to
the PAC and the PAC will look into this."
Even inquiry commissions set up by Chamling
himself accuse him of corruption. The Sarala Rai
Commission accused him of amassing Rs 100 crore,
the Koirala Commission accused him of siphoning
off Rs 87 crore, and the P Wangdi Commission
said he amassed wealth worth Rs 35 crore.
Since 1994, the Chief Minister's record of
corruption has been confirmed, time and again,
by reports from CAG and various commissions of
inquiry, but not once has any action been taken
against him.
Now, with more information of the volume of his
assets being discovered, the question is — is
anyone willing to act against Sikkim's most
powerful politician? |
