By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh has claimed Rs 2.63 lakh as Travelling Allowances (TA) for a London trip he undertook in 2010 while Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma is yet to claim any TA for the same trip.
As per documents received under the RTI Act from the Secretariat Administration Department (SAD) on expense made by the ministers for foreign jaunts during the period from April 2008 to May 2011, it was found that the Deputy Chief Minister had also gone to Amsterdam, Netherland during his trip from June 20, 2010 to July 3, 2010.
Among others who had accompanied Dr Sangma and Lyngdoh on the London trip were Dr PW Khongjee and Lahkmen Rymbui (both parliamentary secretaries), MTDC chief Ronnie V Lyngdoh and OSD to CM HM Shangpliang.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong who was part of the trip to Bangladesh led by former Chief Minister DD Lapang in June 2010 has claimed an amount of Rs 1.3 lakh as TA.
However, Dr Sangma, who had also accompanied Lapang and Lanong is yet to claim any amount for this trip also. Dr Sangma was holding the post of Deputy Chief Minister at that time.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister Timothy D Shira, who went to the United States during the previous MPA rule in October 2008, has claimed an amount of Rs 2.13 lakh as TA. Dr Sangma had claimed Rs 3 lakh for his trip to Norway and France in June 2009.
Donkupar Massar the then Mining and Geology Minister and AL Hek, who was holding the PHE portfolio, had gone to USA and Germany for which they had claimed Rs 2.43 lakh and Rs 2.56 lakh respectively.
