Mothers’ Union moves Governor for auditing of council funds
TURA: The Mothers’ Union of Dalu constituency in West Garo Hills district has written to Governor V. Shanmuganathan seeking his intervention to call for an inquiry and complete inspection of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) projects whose implementation was undertaken by the elected members (MDCs) in the light of several RTI filings revealing that majority of schemes never took off despite money being withdrawn to the tune of several crores of rupees.
The demand for a thorough probe has gained momentum among Garo Hills based organisations following revelations that many sitting MDCs and executive committee members from the ruling Congress had allegedly siphoned off several lakhs of rupees in each constituency in the name of MDC schemes, money for which was allotted by the Central government and rooted through the state.
The sitting MDC from Wagesik constituency in South Garo Hills district, Frederson N Sangma alias Gantong N Sangma, is already in the limelight for allegedly withdrawing over Rs.87 lakh in the names of his family and relatives without implementing any of the schemes in his area.
The latest name to be implicated in alleged corruption is that of Dalu MDC Silgra N Marak who allegedly withdrew sanction money to the tune of several lakhs in the names of his wife, his brother, his son-in-law and brother-in law for projects dating from 2010 to 2015.
As per the RTI documents obtained by the Mothers’ Union of Dalu, the MDC’s brother Sengkan Marak was allotted several schemes amounting to Rs.5.38 lakh for which money was withdrawn while the work was not undertaken. The MDC’s wife Jaibani Sangma was allotted 21 projects amounting to Rs.17,51,000 for construction of footpaths, culverts, revenue collection sheds, slaughter sheds and footbridges. Only the construction of a dustbin at Barengapara market amounting to Rs.23,700 was allegedly found to be implemented in totality.
The MDC’s sister-in-law Terina Sangma was also allotted a project for construction of a community hall including electrification and water supply at Koinadubi amounting to Rs.8,70,000 but work was allegedly not carried out despite release of funds.
Similarly, the MDC’s brother-in-law Bonison Sangma was given two projects amounting to Rs.3,59,000 for construction of twin bathrooms with improvement of existing RCC ringwell at Godagre and Nokat Apal (Nayapara). Both projects allegedly did not take off.
Out of a total of 109 projects undertaken by the MDC in his constituency amounting to lakhs of rupees over a period of five years only four were reportedly found to have been implemented on the ground.
“There was no transparency in regards to allotment of schemes and its implementation. A detailed auditing and inquiry needs to be taken up and the case should be referred to the anti-corruption department for a proper and fair investigation under the process of law and bring to light the misappropriation of public funds,” said Archana Marak, secretary of the Mothers’ Union. In her letter she has appealed to the Governor to order for a probe of all schemes and projects from 2010 to 2015 for all 29 sitting MDCs of the GHADC who are now preparing to contest the upcoming elections next month.
