By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD) has asked former Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie to clarify on the RTI findings which had exposed gross misappropriation of funds from the MLA schemes amounting to Rs 2.8 crore during his tenure as MLA of the constituency (2003-08).
While referring to the RTI findings in 2009, MTD executive member Dimarius Marwein said they have been forced to seek clarification from the former legislator who has chosen to remain silent on the matter despite the issue being reported in the media.
“We want Sawkmie to come up with evidence to prove that there was no misappropriation of funds from the MLA schemes. The clarification is necessary since he (Sawkmie) is now contesting from Pynthorumkhrah without having cleared his name off the scam in Mawlai,” Marwein told reporters here on Thursday.
In April 2009, the MTD, based on RTI findings, had alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 2,80,53,858 under the Local Area Development Scheme for Mawlai constituency by a person claiming to be the secretary of Mawlai Constituency Development Council (MCDC). Interestingly, the MCDC secretary was none other than Sawkmie’s younger brother Justice Sawkmie.
Under the RTI Act, MTD obtained documents related to the withdrawal of the amount following a survey report of RS Lyngdoh Training Centre (RSLTC) in December 2008 which revealed large-scale irregularities in implementation of the MLA schemes in 51 villages spread over 15 constituencies in East Khasi Hills District including Mawlai.
The survey report which was reported publicized by the local media in December 2008 was based on RTI documents gathered from four Block Development Offices in East Khasi Hills and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and spot investigation by RSLTC, which revealed that the Mawlai Development Constituency Council secretary had withdrawn the amount which is yet to be accounted for.
