SHILLONG, NOV 25: Education Minister and UDP leader Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday urged the state government to consider increasing the Rs 2.5 crore allocation for implementation of the MLA scheme in the 60 constituencies in the state.
“It should have been increased…we have so many needs for the people,” Rymbui told reporters.
He emphasized the scheme’s public purpose saying “It’s not personal money of any MLA, it’s for constituents’ benefit. MLAs do their best, within guidelines, adapting to local needs.”
He cited delays caused by engineer transfers and late estimates, but praised a recent fix that deputy Commissioners can now use any district Executive Engineer to speed approvals.
“Accountability is a must,” Rymbui stressed, adding MLAs strive to help “as much as possible” despite constraints.
He informed in his constituency, projects from 2023–2024 are underway, with some completed.
“Therefore, personally, if you say that, we need not only Rs 2.5 crore but we need more to meet the needs of the people but accountability should be there because it is not the personal money of any MLA, it is the money from the government’s exchequer for the benefit of the people and benefit of his constituents,” he stated while asserting MLAs strive to help “as much as possible” despite constraints.
His remarks follow opposition calls for an independent probe into MLA Scheme use, led by VPP’s Ardent Basaiawmoit.
By Our Reporter
