Charge against Cajee

SHILLONG, FEB 21: The Mawlai People Forum (MPF), quoting a RTI report, has accused sitting Mawlai legislator and Congress candidate Founder Strong Cajee of indulging in various acts of omission and commission, which resulted in the constituency being deprived of welfare schemes worth over Rs 2 crore over the past five years.

MPF secretary Morris Lyngdoh told reporters here on Thursday that the forum through a RTI application had sought information on the implementation of various schemes by Cajee during the last five years. “The legislator has misused schemes worth Rs 2. 56 crore that were sanctioned for the constituency,” he said.

Apart from allegedly misusing Rs 96 lakh that was sanctioned for the constituency under the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP), Lyngdoh said Cajee had also failed to utilize up to Rs 1.24 crore meant for the all-round development of the constituency. “It is unfortunate that the MLA not only misused funds for unfair benefits, but he also failed to utilize all available funds during his term”, he said.

The MPF secretary alleged the Achievement Report released by the MLA recently was nothing but an attempt to fool the voters of Mawlai as none of the stuff listed in it exist on the ground. “The achievement report states that footpaths were constructed at Umajiur and Umjapung, but they do not exist in reality”, he said.

Accusing the MLA of buying CGI sheets that cost Rs 2,000 per bundle in the market at double the price, Lyngdoh said this was nothing but gross misuse of public fund. “The MLA has misused Rs 33 lakh while buying the CGI sheets. This indeed is a huge amount that he has misused,” he said, adding that Cajee similarly had bought blankets at a whopping cost of Rs.30 lakh, chairs worth Rs.5. 20 lakh, and another Rs. 3.76 lakh to buy other items. All the money, he said, was drawn by the Mawlai People Development Agency, which is chaired by the MLA himself.

Cajee also did not disclose how he has used the discretionary grant and additional fund during the past five years, alleged the MPF secretary. (By Our Reporter)