Police are expected to comment today on the status of the 2001 Agriculture Ministry scam investigations and whether some people are still under investigation.

The Farming Assistance Scheme amounted to more than $16 million and several allegations continue to be made that it was a vote buying scam and a couple of individuals benefitted from the scheme in 2001.

Yesterday High Court Judge, Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja said the Director of Public Prosecutions or relevant authorities may look into certain allegations made against some former Ministers in relation to the 2001 Farming Assistance Programme.

While sentencing Dhansukh Lal Bhika and Suliasi Sorovakatini, the Judge said Sorovakatini's defence counsel submitted in the trial that the 2001 programme was a vote buying scam by the political authorities of the day.

Justice Thurairaja said Sorovakatini alleged in court that the then Minister, Apisai Tora and Assistant Minister, Marieta Rigamoto unduly benefitted out of the programme.

Since there is evidence before the court, the authorities may take the matter further.

But he said it should be mentioned that Sorovakatini had not revealed these facts to the Police during the investigation.

Meanwhile during the sentencing, the judge highlighted the purchases done by Sorovakatini from Suncourt.

He said that between March to April 2001, there were more than 153 purchases done at Suncourt and none of these purchases followed the government standard procurement procedures.
 
It was also highlighted that on May 11th, 2001, the vouchers were raised, a cheque for the value of $225,000 was drawn and paid to Suncourt Hardware on the same day.

Justice Thurairaja said the cheque was signed by a junior officer and Sorovakatini.

It had no proper approval as Sorovakatini was only entitled to sign cheques amounting $2000.

It has also been revealed in court that on May 16th, 2001, Sorovakatini had opened a credit account at Suncourt Hardware and received goods and cash advance from that account.

According to the records presented in court, Sorovakatini owes more than $51,000 to Suncourt.

However the Judge said it is interesting to note that Sorovakatini had not even repaid a cent.

Further there was no interest levied by Suncourt and no recovery processes were taken till 2008.

During the case sum up the Judge had raised the question on whether a company would lend more than $51,000 to a public servant without any repayment.  


Story by: Vijay Narayan