SHILLONG, AUG 27: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said ex-gratia to families of five victims of a workplace accident in Shillong was paid from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant (CMSG) and not publicised.
Countering VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit’s allegation that aid was denied, Sangma said, “To say ex-gratia has not been given is incorrect. It was released not from SDMF but from CMSG.”
He said SDMF/SDRF is meant only for natural disasters and cannot be used for accidents. CMSG has no fixed guidelines and is released based on circumstances, but indiscriminate use would set a precedent and create entitlement for every accident.
“We gave the money but did not make it big news or a social media reel. Action is more important than making news out of it. That is why the member and media did not know,” Sangma said.
Basaiawmoit said the matter was raised based on media reports.
By Our Reporter
