By Our Reporter
Shillong: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) members on Friday questioned the vagueness of the budgetary speech presented in regards to the shares due to be cleared by the State Government on the first day of the summer session of the Council.
Criticising the Executive Committee (EC) for taking the matter lightly, Mawlai MDC EB Syiemlieh said it is not acceptable on part of the EC to mention that there is no clarity in the amount left to be cleared by the Government.
“Is it not the duty of the Executive Member (EM) in charge to find it out”, Syiemlieh questioned while expressing disappointment over the lackadaisical attitude of the Council in taking up the matter despite facing financial crisis.
Meanwhile, reacting to statement made by Syiemlieh, EM in charge of Finance NA War said that the issue has been followed up and the Council is still awaiting the detailed report on the amount that is pending.
Earlier, Syiemlieh had pointed out that if the Government is delaying or is hesitant to release the shares, the Council could opt for other ways like seeking an RTI or even go to the court while adding “This is our share and we have every right to demand for it”.
The Mawlai MDC also severely criticised the EC for its failure to strengthen the existing laws and its rush to introduce other bills.
Criticising the recently introduced Mylliem Act (Second Amendment) on the fourth day of the summer session of the KHADC here on Friday, Syiemlieh said “I am disappointed that instead of implementing the existing laws in its true spirit, the EC is in a rush to amend the Mylliem Act which benefits only one man.” Commenting on the Village Heritage at Mawphlang, Syiemlieh said that despite the claims made by the EC about the work
going on in full swing, the project is still lingering with the proceedings moving ahead at a snail’s pace.
Reacting to this, War assured that the first phase of the Village Heritage will be completed before November, ahead of the Monolith Festival which is scheduled to be held at Mawphlang.
Mawthengkut MDC FK Ryntathiang stated that the same budget is highlighted every session indicating that the Council could not implement the concerned projects highlighted in the budgetary speech.