SHILLONG: Alleged political interference has resulted in a woman from Kynroh Nonglyer village, around 49 km from here, in not getting the required amount for the repair of low cost house in the village.
Martha Mawlong, who had applied for funds worth Rs 10,000 for the repair of low cost house and was given a utilization certificate for the same under SRWP scheme could not proceed further as the local legislator and Cabinet Minister HDR Lyngdoh from Sohiong was not willing to sign the document.
There are allegations that Lyngdoh refused to sign the document as she was not a member of the Congress unit in the village.
However, Lyngdoh was not available for comments.
Besides denying PDS to several women from the village, the village elders of Kynroh Nonglyer refused to part with materials purchased with the funds from MLA scheme like utensils which usually used for cooking when someone dies, as it helps the family so that they need not hire them.
Several women, who were deprived of PDS items, were chased away from Dorbar of the village on April 10 when they went to attend the meeting to discuss the denial of PDS items to them.
However, the dealer of the PDS items, one Basil, said that on April 10, he was told not to collect and distribute anymore PDS for the group of women.
The dealer, however, argued that he would quit the dealership if the women are not provided PDS items.
The women have also alleged that village heads had decided that they would take Rs 20,000 of the village fund for paying the legal counsels for the case against them.
Though some of the men were not happy with the decision, they could not object.
The villagers alleged that Sordar and the Secretary of Dorbar demanded Rs 20,000 from the Treasurer Terlin Kyrsian in this regard.
CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing, who visited Kynroh Nonglyer village to assess the situation on Monday, said that the women present on the occasion were Fatima Kharthangmaw, Herina Nongrum, Martha Mawlong, Lorphia Kharthangmaw, Shimtilin Mawlong, Stet Basalormaw, Paulina Kharthangmaw, Ortila Nongrum, Mistina Warjri, Biralin Kurbah, Janailin Kharthangmaw, Ritalis Warjri, Ridalis Basalormaw, and Skontina Basalormaw.
Moreover, some men of the village were also present along with the fair price dealer.
The aggrieved people have written a letter to the Sordar that he should immediately return the money (Rs 20,000) which he has demanded from the village fund or else they will file a case against him as the money is for the village and not for paying for the wrong done by the Sordar and Secretary .
Another case is that the son of one Ortila Nongrum, who was married and shifted from the village, was taxed Rs 400 for not being present in the village for certain works undertaken.
According to Kharshiing, since he sometimes stays with his mother, the village elders demanded that the woman should pay Rs 400 annually (Rs 200 for others) for her son who was not present when several works were carried out in the village.
Nongrum is looking after two minor children of her deceased daughter and to pay Rs 400 was difficult for her, Kharshiing said.
It was when Nongrum refused to pay Rs 400, the village elders had told the dealer of PDS items not to give her rice under the PDS. This compelled the CSWO president to lodge an FIR.