Irregularities in implementation of MLA schemes
By Our Reporter
Shillong: The recent ‘cheque bounce’ allegation against Mawlai legislator Founder S Cajee by a city-based school principal has shed light on the alleged manipulation by the MLAs in connivance with the Block Development Officers (BDO) in the implementation of the MLA schemes.
It is worth mentioning that Cajee had handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the principal of a school located at Mawlai Kynton Massar on November 4 last year for expansion of two classrooms. However, when the principal deposited the cheque at the Federal Bank, Shillong he was informed that the cheque had bounce since there was no money in the account.
Cajee had later stated that the money might not have reached the Block office.
Official sources have however questioned Cajee’s signature on the cheque, saying that it is mandatory that any cheque issued under the MLA schemes should be signed by the BDO.
Cajee had signed the cheque in his capacity as the chairman of the Greater Mawlai Coordination Committee for Development (GMCCD).
“The authority to sign such cheques lies only with the BDO,” the officials said.
The official sources have also debunked the MLA’s claim that the money has not yet reached the Block.
“Once the cheque is handed over to the beneficiary the money is immediately made available by the Block office.
“One cannot issue a cheque if funds are not available. It is childish on the part of the MLA to come out with this kind of claim,” they added.
Considering that the cheque was handed over to the principal of the school by the MLA, there is an indication that the GMCCD, of which the MLA is the chairman, had already withdrawn the money from the Block and kept the money in their bank account which is a clear violation of the rules, the official sources said.
The sources also did not rule out such alleged manipulation in the implementation of MLA schemes in other constituencies also and strongly suspected nexus between politicians and BDOs in such irregularities.