Sinlung /
10 October 2013

Ex-Mizo Health Minister Acquited in Fund Scam


Aizawl, Oct 10
: Former Mizoram health minister R Tlanghmingthanga has got a clean chit in the Mizoram healthcare fund scam that haunted him and his family during the last five years.

The special court under the Prevention of Corruption Act, though finding the former health minister as misusing his power to have Rs 10 crore of the healthcare fund invested in an insurance company for the benefits of his daughter, held that he did not commit any offence under the PC Act for the government did not lose any money by investing the fund.

"Though he is morally wrong, he did not commit any offence punishable under the PC Act," the verdict of special court judge K L Liana said, adding, "There is not any sufficient ground for proceeding against him under PC Act and he is discharged from the liability of the charge in the spirit of the provisions of section 227 of Cr PC.

It may be recalled that Rs 10 crore allocated for the Mizoram Health Care Scheme, was invested into the Bajaj Allianz insurance company in the names of 17 individuals, 11 of whom were daughters, sons and in-laws of Tlanghmingthanga.

The remaining six persons were government officials and their wives, including former secretary to chief minister' Zoramthanga and health commissioner' J C Ramthanga and the Mizoram Health Care Society chief executive officer' Dr Sangzuala Pachuau.

Tlanghmingthanga daughter Lianthuampuii, aliases Puii and Puii Halliday, an agent (sometimes reported as co-manager), received Rs 1 crore as commission from the investment.

Against the advice of ADB officials and insurance experts, Tlanghmingthanga had strongly recommended that the money be invested in the Bajaj Allianz. This was given a go-ahead by Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

As much as Rs 50 crore was earmarked for the Mizoram Health Care Scheme from the state budget' which would be recovered with loan to be availed from the Asian Development Bank.

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