Petition filed against DyCM

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 19: Five Mihmyntdu village residents under Jowai constituency have sought the intervention of the Meghalaya high court into the delay in releasing the MLA’s Special Rural Work Programme (SRWP) for over 4 years. A writ petition was filed on December 16 stating that Laloo failed to release the fund under the scheme was despite the five petitioners being among the 300 beneficiaries whose names had been approved by the state government.

As per the notification issued by BDO, all the beneficiaries were entitled to get an amount of Rs 10, 000 each under the SRWP (2012-2013) for renovation of their low cost residences.

The five residents from Mihmyntdu village, about 2km from Jowai, the district headquarter of West Jaintia Hills, were among some of the deprived beneficiaries, who have decided to demand their rights by seeking the court’s intervention.

In the petition, the beneficiaries have alleged that they had approached the MLA RC Laloo, also the deputy chief minister, local district administration and BDO on many occasions but nothing was done to release the money.

The court had admitted the petition and the next hearing on the case will be held next year, sources informed.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya People’s United Front (MPUF) which has filed an RTI in this regard earlier this year has alleged favouritism in the implementation of such scheme.

“It is surprising to note that the beneficiaries who are close to the MLA are getting the money but those who don’t have any link to him are deprived,” it stated in a statement.

The organization also condemned such practice which it said is a violation of the fundamental right of citizens.