Mizoram Congress Accuses Successive Governments of Tender Fraud

Aizawl: Mizoram Congress leader TT Zothansanga leveled serious corruption charges on July 10. He claims the previous Mizo National Front government and the current Zoram People's Movement administration abused restricted tender systems. The process bypassed standard competition. Public money followed.

Zothansanga spoke at Aizawl’s Congress Bhavan. He insisted his party maintained high standards while in power. "The Congress government resorted to restricted tenders only when necessary. There was nothing controversial about the practice during our tenure, and we never misused it," Zothansanga said.

The former MLA detailed massive payouts under the MNF. He alleged the Public Works and Sports departments handed out ₹862.12 crore via restricted tenders. He pointed to blatant favoritism, noting two relatives of former Chief Minister Zoramthanga bagged contracts worth ₹211.91 crore.

The ruling ZPM now faces similar heat. Zothansanga accused them of breaking campaign pledges to overhaul procurement. Instead, the administration empanelled 328 firms for restricted work. Chief Minister Lalduhoma allegedly signed off on ₹957.17 crore in projects, including schemes under the SASCI initiative.

The Congress review has uncovered ₹5,547.63 crore in questionable spending across 14 departments. This includes 135 projects worth nearly a billion rupees run directly through the Chief Minister's Office. Zothansanga argues outside firms are grabbing work meant for local contractors. Officials from the MNF and ZPM have stayed silent.