DYRS says files taken up, officers may be called; Director declines to comment on construction within minister’s residence premises
Director of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS), Kethosituo Sekhose, has said the Lokayukta is examining the issue surrounding the construction of the Mangkolemba Multipurpose Hall within the premises of a minister’s residence.
The construction of the Mangkolemba Multipurpose Hall under the Khelo India scheme came under scrutiny after the Mangkolemba Town Lanur Telongjem raised concerns that the facility had not been constructed in Mangkolemba.
The DYRS subsequently clarified that the building had been constructed at Longtho under Mangkolemba Circle.
However, the Mangkolemba civil society later traced the location of the hall and raised concerns that it had been constructed within the premises of Higher Education and Tourism Minister Imna Along’s private residence in Longtho.
On the sidelines of an inspection of Renpo Lu Astro Turf in Ungma for the upcoming Dr T Ao Trophy on September 19, Sekhose was asked how the department justified the construction of a public infrastructure within the premises of a minister’s residence.
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He declined to comment, saying the matter was before the Lokayukta.
“It’s difficult to comment for me as even the Lokayukta has taken up the case. And therefore, until and unless they give the report, it will not be proper for me to comment because it is good as being sub judice. So, we will wait for the Lokayukta to give its report,” he said.
Asked whether the Lokayukta had taken up the matter suo motu, Sekhose said he could not say so with certainty.
“I don’t exactly say that but they have taken all our files,” he said, adding that departmental officers would also be called by the Lokayukta.
Sekhose was again asked whether the department could justify the construction of the public facility within the premises of a minister’s residence.
“When a case is in Lokayukta… I think it will be better to discuss after the Lokayukta report,” he said.
Asked whether the department would have a position on the matter if the Lokayukta had not formally taken it up, Sekhose replied, “I think that is what the Lokayukta is examining, so let the Lokayukta give its comment.”
Sekhose therefore declined to offer a justification for the location of the facility, referring questions on the matter to the Lokayukta’s examination.
