Ahead of polls, Hek face graft bombshell

SHILLONG, JAN 7: Ahead of the Meghalaya assembly elections slated for February, minister and Congress candidate AL Hek is facing a graft charge as the Pynthorumkhrah People’s Association (PPA) has alleged that he has misutilised funds under various schemes meant for the welfare of the people and institutions of his constituency.

Equipped with RTI findings, the PPA alleged that Hek misappropriated public funds under the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP) scheme worth to more than Rs 2 crore. The RTI findings is from 1998 to 2012 and it reveals anomaly in the utilization of the funds while distributing the Corrugated Galvanised Iron (CGI) sheets to the people.

As a legislator representing Pynthorumkhrah, the PPA is making the finding an issue just before the election and questioning Hek.

PPA adviser Remington Lyngdoh told a news conference Monday, “There is huge mis-utilizing of the scheme in the distribution of the CGI-sheets by the legislator.”  He alleged that that MLA has given Rs 2000 to the beneficiaries instead of CGI-sheets that cost Rs 4000 and Rs 5000 in the different years from 1998 to 2012.

Lyngdoh called on the people to demand the remaining amount from Hek.

Quoting from the RT findings, the PPA said under the SRWP scheme 2010 – 2011, Hek has withdrawn an amount of Rs 32 lakhs for the purchase 800 bundles of CGI sheet at Rs 4000 including delivery charge of 60 % and 40 % while in 2011 – 2012, Rs 40 lakhs has been sanctioned for the purchase of 800 bundles of CGI-sheet at Rs 5000.

The RTI, however, failed to mention the number of beneficiaries of the SRWP scheme.

PPA also alleged that the RTI findings reveals sanction of Rs 5 lakhs for electrification of X-Ray hall for Nangkiew multi-purpose society- which is missing, Rs 2 lakhs for construction of picnic spot at Golflink, Rs 5 lakhs for extension of Golflink College and its affiliation fees to NEHU, Rs 4.50 lakh for  upliftment and promoting the economic activities of women under BPL families.

PPA spokesperson Welcomestar Lyngdoh said, “However, we failed to see either the X-Ray hall in the society’s building, or the picnic spot.” He said the MLA has misled and is trying to fool the people of the constituency.” – By Our Reporter