The Gauhati High Court closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking high level enquiry to find out the corrupt officials of Fishery Department of Assam.
The PIL has been filed by one Amguri Naba Nirman Samity has prayed for the following main reliefs:-
a. A Writ in the nature of Mandamus by directing the respondents to cause a high level enquiry to find out the corrupt officials of Fishery Department of Assam who are involved in the corruption of fund deflection in order to misappropriate/misutilize the same and to do the needful for punishment of such Officials in accordance with law;
b. Direct/command the state Government officials/respondents to take into account, the Audit reports of Accountant General (Audit), Assam and do the needful to fix responsibilities upon the erring officials of the Fishery Department and to recover the misappropriated/ misused funds for proper utilization of the same in its true perspective.
Having gone through the affidavit-in-opposition, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Rashmin Manharbhai Chhaya and Justice Soumitra Saikia noted that the respondent authorities have filed a very detailed affidavit and have also brought on record the various reports that are found on the subject of the petition and more particularly the objections which are raised by the Accountant General.
The Bench furrther noted fron the affidavit filed by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Fishery Department that the allegation of anomalies in implementing the scheme in Morigaon District, as averred in the petition, are examined and enquired into by the respondent authorities.
Thus, the High Court do not found any reason to go for any further enquiry. However, considering the prayers prayed for, the following directions are given by the High Court :-
(i) The State Government shall adhere to the enquiries that are made and if any allegations, which are levelled in this petition are found to be true, shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law.
(ii) As far as the audit objections are concerned, the same shall be placed before the Public Accounts Committee for its decision.