SHILLONG, MAY 3: PDF MDC from Mawhati James Sylliang has decided to take up a signature campaign to seek the support of other members for demanding the incumbent KHADC chief PN Syiem to clarify on the Rs 28 crore central funds before a special session.
The decision was taken just days after he was dropped as an executive member (EM) of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) executive committee led by the People Democratic Front (PDF) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Sylliang alleged that the present chief executive member (CEM) has misappropriated the Rs 28 crore out of Rs 32 crore sanctioned by the Centre to the Council.
“Therefore, I have decided to demand for a special session in order to seek clarification from the CEM on his decision not to inform the executive members (EMs) about the Rs 32 crore received by the Council,” he said.
Admitting that calling a special session would require the support of at least 20 members, the former EM said, “I will lead a signature campaign from Monday next, to seek the support of all members on the need to immediately have a special session on this regard.”
Sylliang said that he along with other EMs only came to know about the Council having received the central funds after the members of the UDP, HSPDP and Congress had confronted the CEM on the matter earlier in February this year.
However, the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) and United Democratic Party (UDP) have recently extended their support to the Syiem-led EC. Following this, HSPDP MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew was appointed as Deputy CEM and UDP MDC Donkupar Sumer as EM.
Asked, Sylliang however said, “I would urged all those MDCs who are not part of this especially those who have moved a no confidence motion and confronted the CEM to come forward and support the signature campaign. If they don’t, it will only mean that they are encouraging corruption.”
He further alleged that out of Rs 32 crore which was sanctioned by the Centre in December last years, Syiem had without the consent of the executive committee (EC) allotted Rs 28 crore only for Council’s assets which makes no sense at all.
“What is the point of renovating a roof which is still in a good condition and can last for another 10 years. I feel that the fund should have been allotted for development of different constituencies instead,” he said.
Reacting to a query, Sylliang said that there is a possibility to also demand during the proposed special session of the Council for Syiem to step down as the CEM if he fails to come up clean on the implementation of the central fund before the House.
Meanwhile, the Mawhati MDC further revealed that the main reason for Syiem’s decision to drop him from the EC was following a letter demanding the need to convene an immediate emergent meeting of the PDF on April 10, to decide on the CEM’s post.
The letter signed by him along with three other PDF MDCs (who are also EMs) – Grace Mary Kharpuri, Latiplang Kharkongor and James Ban Basiawmoit was submitted to the PDF president Ivanlumlang Marbaniang.
“We have decided to send the letter after a meeting was held on April 3, in which Syiem had expressed his desire to step down as CEM as he wanted to concentrate on the affairs of the party. However, that time we had asked him to continue because there was a budget session ahead,” he said.
Sylliang also admitted that he was surprised that Syiem had not taken any action against the three other MDCs who were also signatories of the said letter which was drafted by Kharkongor.
On the other hand, he said during the meeting held on April 3, the PDF MDCs had proposed the name of Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor as the new chief executive member but Syiem instead proposed the incumbent KHADC chairman LG Nongsiej for the post.
By Our Reporter
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