SHILLONG, JAN 15: UDP sitting MDC from Umsning Donkupar Sumer today termed the KHADC chief PN Syiem as a “Mukul Khasi” for his alleged dictatorial attitude by issuing work orders in the constituency without the knowledge of the local MDC.
The work orders are meant for implementation of over 19 developmental schemes in Umsning at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs under the Rs 133.12 crore special assistance grant sanctioned by the central government to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
“He (Syiem) has misused the CEM’s chair for PDF’s political interest sake. He has been accusing the chief minister Mukul Sangma to be dictatorial but his style of functioning proves that he is acting like a “Mukul Khasi”,” Sumer told reporters here on Monday.
He alleged that the incumbent Council’s chief executive member had recently issued the work orders for the different schemes through the People Democratic Front (PDF) workers in Umsning which is not at all acceptable since he is its elected representative.
“I have submitted my petition to the CEM with a demand that he should stop abusing his powers and stop insulting me by immediately recalling and cancelling of all the work orders issued by him,” Sumer said.
According to him, Syiem, who is also the leader of the PDF, is trying to gain unnecessary political mileage by indulging in cheap politics since his party is also putting up candidate to contest from Umsning in the upcoming MLA elections.
It may be mentioned here Sumer is also the official candidate of the United Democratic Party who will be contesting against the cabinet minister and newly appointed MPCC chief Celestine Lyngdoh in the upcoming Assembly polls.
Condemning the action of the CEM, the UDP sitting MDC also urged the District Council Affairs (DCA) department to intervene into the matter to ensure that all MDCs get their equal share for the development of their respective constituencies.
Sumer further slammed the ruling PDF-led executive committee in the KHADC for cancelling an important project for construction of a market in Umsning at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore despite being approved by the state level committee headed by the chief secretary.
“I strongly opposed the cancellation of this scheme as it is a big loss to the people of my constituency and the PDF should take full responsibility for this,” he said.
Moreover, he said along with the Umsning market project, the Syiem-led EC had also recast other projects which are of over Rs 6 crore and had not seek the SLC approval which goes against the NITI Aayog’s guidelines.
Also accusing Syiem of misusing the central grant, Sumer said, “Syiem accused the chief minister of misusing the Livestock Mission as a Congress scheme, but likewise, the PDF is also misusing the Rs 133.12 crore as its party’s funds for the upcoming elections.”
He said that of the total grant, Rs 87 crore was distributed as share to all 29 MDCs (at Rs 3 crore each), while Rs 30 crore was set aside for Council’s assets adding “But the question is where has the balance Rs 16 crore gone? I am sure it has gone to the PDF’s kitty.”
Asked whether he would demand for inquiry into the implementation of the central grant, Sumer however said if the need arises he would take up the matter directly with the NITI Aayog after approaching the State Level Committee (SLC) headed by chief secretary.
“I will accordingly decide on what is the best thing to do on this regard,” he added.
Demanding Syiem to immediately step down as the CEM, Sumer said, “He has to step down as he has misused the office of the CEM. It is unfortunate that he is being projected as a chief ministerial candidate when he can’t even handle the district council well.”
By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours