Gegong Apang arrested for PDS scam
By IANSTuesday, August 24, 2010
GUWAHATI - Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister and veteran Congress leader Gegong Apang was Tuesday arrested by sleuths of the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) for his alleged involvement in a Rs.1,000-crore public distribution system (PDS) scam.
A government spokesperson said Apang was arrested in capital Itanagar around midday.
The SIC was constituted by the state government to probe the Rs.1,000-crore PDS scam under the direct supervision of the Gauhati High Court.
The probe began following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by runachal Citizens’ Rights (ACR) chairperson Bamang Anthony and public leader Domin Loya June 13, 2004.
Apang was the chief minister during the period when the scam took place.
During the period it was found false and fraudulent transport subsidy bills were cleared without financial concurrence, besides inflated bills were paid for procuring items.
Apang was dominating politics in Arunachal Pradesh the past 25 years — 22 years as chief minister although he lost the assembly elections in 2009.
