High Court on VEC

SHILLONG, JUNE 27:  The Meghalaya High Court has directed the secretary of a village employment council (VEC) in West Garo Hills District to pay the job card holders as per government rules within a week.

In an order issued here on Tuesday, Justice SR Sen said, “The Secretary of VEC, Patharkata East, Selsella Block is directed to make the payment to the petitioner as per the government rules and decision within a week.”

This was following a petition filed by Hayarish Rahman, who is one of the job card holders of East Pathorkata VEC.

Earlier in 2015 and 2016, Rahman along with other job card holders had lodged a complaint against the VEC president and secretary for their alleged corrupt and illegal activity besides failing to follow MGNREGA guidelines.

The remuneration fixed by the Government was at Rs 100 per day, but unfortunately the VEC secretary do not want to give full remuneration inspite of the direction of the BDO of Selsella C&RD Block on September 22, last year.

The VEC secretary insisted to pay only Rs 50.

Meanwhile, the Court has also directed the BDO, who is also the Programme Officer of MGNREGS to see what is the actual rate or remuneration for the job card holders and issue order to the VEC secretary to follow the order or decision of the Government strictly.

“I would also like to make it clear that a person should get his remuneration as per the rules and decision of the Government,” Justice Sen said adding “There is no scope for the VEC secretary to draw another resolution and to over ride the decision of the government and to make provision for 50% payment.”

“I am really shock as to why such decision has been taken by the secretary. Is it for his own profit? If it is so, it amounts to corruption and he deserves to face the enquiry,” he said while disposing of the petition without passing any strong order.