Prominent rights organisation – Assam Public Works or APW – has urged Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to initiate a comprehensive investigation into alleged corruption during the National Register of Citizens-NRC updating process.
In a memorandum dated July 15, APW referenced a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealing financial irregularities amounting to Rs 260 crore within the Rs 1,600 crore NRC project. The organisation claimed that Rs 155.88 crore was misappropriated from funds intended for data entry operators’ remuneration.
APW president Abhijeet Sharma stressed, “We earnestly request your personal intervention and urge the Enforcement Department to conduct an inquiry into the matter to bring the culprits to justice.”
The organisation raised concerns about former NRC State Coordinator Prateek Hajela, alleging mismanagement and corruption. APW also expressed apprehensions regarding the possible inclusion of “foreigners” in the NRC list, suggesting potential national security risks.
“Given the implications for national security, we propose that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigate the inclusion of foreigners’ names,” the memorandum stated. APW further called for the involvement of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), suspecting external funding influences on the NRC process.
Highlighting previous attempts to address the issue, including filing FIRs with the State Police and appeals to the Director General of Police, APW indicated dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
As the principal petitioner in the Supreme Court’s NRC case (Writ Petition WP(C) 274/2009), APW’s demand for a multi-agency probe adds significant scrutiny to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NRC in Assam.
