Akhil Gogoi questions, Himanta replies and Riniki issues press release

Akhil Gogoi questions, Himanta replies and Riniki issues press release

Disclose details of cash, Akhil dares Himanta

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 4: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) secretary Akhil Gogoi today caught Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the “wrong foot” in the manner of payment he had made while purchasing two luxurious cars costing Rs 40 lakh in the name of his five-year-old daughter Sukanya Sharma in March and April, 2008. Gogoi, also an RTI activist, dared the minister to disclose within 24 hours facts like from which bank or banks and when he had withdrawn the amount to make cash payment to two car dealers — Ghosh Brothers Automobiles and Gargia Auto Limited — or a public apology failing which he (Gogoi) would disclose all his corruption in social, political and financial spheres within two months. The RTI activist also claimed to have acquired all information regarding the misdeeds of Himanta Biswa Sarma from his political colleagues, persons whom he was protecting, and various other sources.

Addressing a press conference at Guwahati Press Club today, Gogoi said: “The minister purchased two luxurious cars in March and April, 2008 in the name of his minor daughter. While the price of the Honda CR-V A/T24 car (AS01AG5009) with chassis No. JHMRE-48418C311242 and engine No. K24Z12750874 was Rs 25 lakh approximately, that of the LMR Corola Car (AS01AF9395) with chassis No. MBJ53ZEC206841612-01/08 and engine No. 1ZZ3045297 was approximately Rs 15 lakh. In accordance with the standing rules, a person can’t make cash payment of such big amounts, but the information received through the RTI reveals that the minister made cash payment in purchasing both the cars. Now let the minister disclose when and from which bank or banks he had withdrawn Rs 40 lakh to make cash payment of the two luxurious cars. If he got the two cars as gift, let him disclose the name of the person and his source of money.”

In his affidavit to the Election Commission in the 2006 Assembly election in the State, according to Gogoi, the minister had shown a Maruti Zen, Rs 3 lakh cash, Rs 15,000 cash in the name of his wife, and Rs 60,000 PPF deposit and Rs 34,620 LIC deposit in the name of his daughter Sukanya Sarma. “Total of this property is about Rs 1 crore, but after two years, what magic made the minister able to purchase two luxurious cars costing Rs 40 lakh in the name of his daughter,” he said, and added: “The person in whose name a car is purchased needs to sign himself or herself in all related documents. In the case of Saukanya, her mother Riniki Bhuyan Sarma signed all related documents.” All the information, including sales certificates, which the KMSS leader showed to the press today, were copies duly certified by the DTO, Kamrup.

Gogoi alleged that a racket is out to suppress the democratic movement of the KMSS and offered crores of rupees to its leaders to ensure premature death of the movement. “Since we have refused to accept the offer, a threat perception continues to haunt us,” he added.

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 4: Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that it was unfortunate that Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) secretary Akhil Gogoi dragged a seven-year-old girl in his attack against him (Sarma) in connection with two cars that had been purchased by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, mother of the girl.

Addressing a press meet here today, Sarma said that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma would give a clarification on the purchase of the two cars later in the day today. “There is no hide and seek in the purchase of the cars,” he said, and added: “Everything in this connection has been shown in the Income Tax file.”

Sarma said that when All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi had asked all ministers not to use red lights in their cars, Riniki purchased these two cars in the name of her daughter. “There is a tradition of feeling proud by purchasing property in the name of sons and daughters in Assamese society,” he said, and added: “Riniki Bhuyan Sarma gets Rs 1.5 lakh salary in the organization where she is working now, and that organization did business of Rs 14 crore last year. I take cash from her from time to time.”

Reacting to the 24-hour deadline set by Akhil Gogoi for him, Sarma said: “Akhil Gogoi can’t write the fate of my political career, but the people of the State can. If the people of the State want me to be a minister, Akhil Gogoi can’t stop them, and if the people of the State don’t want to make me a minister, Akhil Gogoi can’t be the king maker.”

“In fact, personal information can’t be obtained through the RTI. The DTO telephoned me yesterday about Akhil Gogoi seeking my personal information through the RTI. I asked the DTO to give details information to Akhil Gogoi or else he would make an issue out of that. He has dragged my seven-year-old daughter in his fight against me. This can be a fit case against him under the National Protection of Child Act, which, if found guilty, may land him in jail for seven years. If any of my colleagues has given information against me to Akhil Gogoi, he shouldn’t have disclosed that. Betraying a faithful informer is a dangerous trend,” Sarma said.

On the threat perception as mentioned by Akhil Gogoi, Sarma said: “If he wants, the government is ready to provide him PSOs.” When asked on the statement made by ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Baruah on Akhil Gogoi, Sarma said: “This is a cause of concern. There may or may not be a nexus between them.”

source: THE SENTINEL