SHILLONG, FEB 28: Opposition members on Wednesday gheraod the KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem as they directly charged him of allegedly abusing his power by allotting schemes through the PDF candidates in their respective constituencies.
The delegation led by Leader of Opposition Manstudy Nongrem met Syiem in his office chamber and submitted a letter demanding him to clarify as to what made his executive committee to bypass the members while allotting schemes from central assistance grant.
The opposition members also include three MDCs from the United Democratic Party (UDP) –Teinwell Dkhar, Donkupar Sumer, and Rona Khymdeit, two from the Congress – Lamphrang Blah and Kimfa Marbaniang and Samlin Malngiang of the Hill State People Democratic Party.
This was just after the KHADC’s session was adjourned by the chairman LG Nongsiej due to inability of majority of the members to attend in view of the ongoing Assembly elections in the state.
Minutes after handing over the letter by Nongrem in presence of few journalists, Syiem refused to entertain discussion and told the delegation that he would reply in writing and that it was his prerogative to allot schemes which led to the members to burst out in anger.
There was also heated argument and banging table inside the CEM’s chamber as opposition members pointing their fingers towards the KHADC chief accusing him of misusing the chair, before they left the room in annoyance.
Outrightly denying the allegations, Syiem told reporters that the schemes as alleged by the opposition members was extra schemes that the executive committee is providing to different villages under its jurisdiction apart from share of Rs 3 crore given to each MDC.
“I am the CEM and it is mine and executive committee prerogative and wisdom to select villages under the Council’s jurisdiction for implementing these additional schemes. To say that we have issued work orders for the same to PDF candidates is wrong,” he said.
While informing that he would give an official written reply to the opposition members soon, he said when I told them this they instead reacted rudely.
Syiem, who is also leader of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), further stated that in real term this is special assistance received from the Centre and the question of existence of MDC scheme does not arise.
“This (special assistance) cannot be equated with SRWP of MLAs. Moreover unlike in JHADC and GHADC where opposition members usually get the least share, here we are ensuring that all members get equal share,” he said.
“When Rs 3 crore each was received by all members now it does not mean that all schemes have to be routed through the respective MDCs,” he said.
Later while speaking to reporters, Nongrem, a former senior Congress leader, who joined the HSPDP recently, alleged that the CEM and his EC had allotted work orders for schemes sanctioned under special assistance grant to PDF candidates contesting the Assembly polls.
“The CEM had done in constituencies represented mainly by opposition members and without their knowledge.When we tried to discuss this he (Syiem) instead told us that he would reply the queries in writing to us,” he said.
According to him, the usual practice was that the schemes implemented by the KHADC should have been routed through the MDC concerned. “But in the case of my constituency in Langrin, the work order was allotted to a PDF candidate,” he alleged.
He also alleged that out of Rs 32 crore which was sanctioned by the Centre in December last year, work orders were allotted for Rs 28 crore as Council’s assets.
UDP leader Teinwell Dkhar said that even though the CEM said that it was his prerogative to allot schemes but the fact of the matter is that the fund was sanctioned by central government and that he has no right to treat them as his own personal schemes.
On the other hand, MDC from Umsning Donkupar Sumer said that the KHADC chief had also failed to fulfil his promises made in the floor of the House that a detailed report would be circulated to all members on the implementation of the central grant.
“He claims to be clean and love the jaidbynriew when he can’t even respect the members of the council,” he said.
Asked, the opposition members said that they would soon sit to decide on their future course of action against the alleged dictatorial style of function of the present chief executive member.
By Our Reporter
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