TURA: Independent candidate for the upcoming South Tura by-poll and former legislator John Leslee K Sangma has denied allegations of funds misappropriation leveled against him by former ANVC-B chairman Bernard Rimpu N Marak.
The former militant chief had charged the ex-MLA of encouraging his close workers to profit from government schemes under SUWP meant for the constituency’s population. Quoting from RTI documents, Bernard had charged John Leslee of awarding a sizeable number of projects to just a handful of his close aides and work for which went uncompleted in many alleged instances. He also mentions about community halls in localities that allegedly did not get constructed despite sanction.
Replying to the charges against him, John Leslee has clarified that SUWP projects were never proposed by him in any of his years as a legislator and warned the former rebel chief of legal action for his ‘defamatory’ remarks.
“I never proposed any projects under SUWP in any of the years rather it was me who started the process of creating awareness to the public about how much MLA schemes are sanctioned and how it is utilized. Local committees have always been invited to check my proposals and are made aware of the funds sanctioned for their locality,” clarified John leslee Sangma.
The former legislator said that for CGI sheets distribution the beneficiaries are selected by the development committees and the material released only after signing of the document.
He denied that funds kept aside for victims of natural calamities had gone unutilized and cited the disbursement of the same for the victims of the Dakopgre market fire incident during a public gathering outside a church compound.
“The rest of the funds were utilised for victims of landslides in different localities and these can be verified by producing records and the beneficiaries along with their development committees. I always take pictures and a receipt of every material I release and maintain two records, one of which is submitted to the Tura Municipal Board,” stated John Leslee Sangma while adding that the same exercise is practiced during distribution of chairs for localities and in holding of sports tournaments under the sports fund.
On the allegations about his close aides bagging a majority of schemes, the former MLA clarified that projects are sanctioned in each individual’s name solely with the knowledge of the local committee of the locality.
He added that such allegations were an attempt to distract him from his political fight against the chief minister whom he charged of stirring a hornet’s nest with his remarks about the reservation policy in the state and work permit for Bangladeshis.