Shillong: A formal complaint has been lodged with the highest offices of India, including the President and the Prime Minister, by Right to Information (RTI) activist and advocate Napoleon S Mawphniang, igniting calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Lakadong Turmeric Project. The project, spearheaded by the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), is now under scrutiny for alleged financial and administrative misconduct.
The detailed complaint, also dispatched to key figures within the Meghalaya state administration such as the Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary, paints a picture of alleged systemic violations and a conspicuous lack of transparency in the handling of over Rs 20 crore allocated for the ambitious agricultural initiative. Information obtained through an RTI request forms the crux of Mawphniang’s allegations, revealing that more than Rs 13.6 crore of the Rs 16.34 crore already expended has been categorized under nebulous “infrastructure development.” This expenditure, the complaint asserts, lacks the crucial details of tender processes, contractor identification, and comprehensive project documentation.
Mawphniang’s petition raises serious doubts about the project’s intended beneficiaries, suggesting a potential prioritization of personal interests over genuine public welfare. He highlights discrepancies in key performance indicators, which appear to be either unverifiable or inflated. A prime example is the MBDA’s claim of 1,000 participating farmers, a figure unsupported by land records, training documentation, or evidence of subsidy distribution. Furthermore, the agency’s assertion of conducting an improbable 48 extension visits per farm annually—totalling a staggering 48,000 visits—appears logistically unfeasible given their reported staffing levels.
Adding to the concerns is an apparent neglect of environmental safeguards within the project’s implementation. Despite the significant financial outlay, the RTI response reveals a complete absence of implemented soil conservation measures, water retention infrastructure, or climate-resilient farming strategies. This oversight is particularly concerning given the region’s increasing vulnerability to climate-related agricultural challenges.
The complaint also draws attention to a critical institutional vacuum: the office of the Meghalaya Lokayukta has remained vacant since February 28, 2025. The delay in appointing a successor, despite a Search Committee tasked with finalizing candidates by April, has left a crucial anti-corruption watchdog unstaffed, potentially creating an environment conducive to the alleged misuse of funds.
In light of these serious allegations, Mawphniang has urgently appealed to authorities to initiate a thorough CBI and/or Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) inquiry into the matter. He has also called for the immediate suspension of relevant officials pending the outcome of the investigation and the swift appointment of a new Lokayukta. Additionally, his demands include a comprehensive social audit involving civil society organizations and the affected farmers, alongside the full public disclosure of all documents pertaining to the Lakadong Turmeric Project.
The complaint underscores that the issue transcends mere financial mismanagement, framing it as a fundamental failure of governance and a breach of public trust. It argues that the erosion of transparency ultimately inflicts the greatest harm on the very communities the project purports to serve.
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