SHILLONG, APRIL 24: The opposition Congress in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has demanded the United Democratic Alliance-led executive committee to allot share of Rs 1.5 crore of the Rs 52 crore special assistance grant sanctioned by the Centre, to each MDC.
The demand came following the recent decision of the executive committee to allot only Rs 50 lakh to each member of the district council.
The opposition has also threatened to file a complaint before the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Tranforming India) if the EC fails to review its decision before the model code of conduct is lifted.
“We request the CEM and the EC to kindly ensure that each member of the district council is allotted a sum of Rs 1.5 crore…,” Congress members said in a letter submitted to the KHADC chief executive member Teinwell Dkhar during a meeting held here on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Leader of Opposition Lamphrang Blah said the CEM informed that the decision to allot Rs 50 lakh was collectively taken by the executive committee.
“However, we have insisted that the executive committee should review its decision and consider our demand,” Blah said.
On the other hand, Congress leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh slammed the EC for making the proposal without constituting the district council level committee (DCLC) which is as per the guidelines laid down by the NITI Aayog.
Lyngdoh, who is a member from Mylliem constituency, also alleged that even the members of the ruling United Democratic Alliance were not aware of this arbitrary decision of the EC.
“There is absolutely no transparency and we have decided to soon write to the NITI Aayog since its guidelines have been flouted by the EC,” he said adding “We will file the complaint once the model code of conduct is lifted and also if the EC fails to review its decision.”
Lyngdoh further pointed out that guidelines have clearly stated that the grant provided under the special assistance sanctioned to areas covered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is intended to be used to “support and strengthen the delivery of basic services including water supply, sanitation, storm water drainage, maintenance of community assets, road, footpaths, street lighting, burial and cremation ground and any basic service within the function assigned to them under relevant legislation”.
He however said the EC is found to give more priority too tourism which is being looked after by the state government adding “They (EC) are proposing to allot more funds for construction of a resort at Jingkieng Kalong which we fear would only be a wastage of fund.”
“This was despite knowing the fact that rural constituencies have many requirements like school buildings, water supply, preservation of forests and other developmental activities. Such decision therefore only defeated the purpose of special assistance,” he added.
Lyngdoh said the decision of the EC clearly indicated that it is working for the interest of businessmen and contractors.
“They claimed to be regional parties but they are more concern about the businessmen instead of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress leader also slammed the KHADC chief for saying that his EC would allot more schemes to the ruling members and questioned whether the opposition are not public representatives.
By Our Reporter
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