MLA Kawasi did not stop liquor scam, assisted syndicate: ED

 

 

 

THE Enforcement Directorate on Friday said that Chhattisgarh Congress MLA and former minister Kawasi Lakhma “did nothing” to stop an alleged liquor scam of more than Rs 2,100 crore that took place in the State during the previous Government. The 67-year-old Lakhma was arrested by the federal probe agency on January 15 after questioning in this case in state capital Raipur and a court has sent him to ED custody till January 21. Lakhma is a six-time MLA from the Konta Assembly seat and has served as the Excise Minister in the Congress Government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. “Kawasi Lakhma was aware of the complete affairs of the Excise Department including the liquor scam, yet he did nothing to stop the illegal and unauthorised operations.

 

“He played an important role in policy change which led to the introduction of FL-10A license in the State of Chhattisgarh,” the ED alleged in a statement. The FL-10A licence of the Chhattisgarh Government allowed license holders to earn in the foreign liquor segment. Lakhma, while being produced by the ED in the court, had told reporters that no documents or even a single penny were found during the raids conducted against him by the agency. “I am being sent to jail in a false case,” he had said.