SHILLONG: The Election Commission of India has put on hold the release of Rs 300 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the poll bound Garo Hills following a complaint from NPP.
Sources said on Saturday that NPP candidate Conrad Sangma had complained that the state government was about to release Rs 300 crore for the entire state of which Rs 100 crore will be earmarked for districts covered under Tura Parliamentary constituency. The same was verbally conveyed to the General Observer of Election Commission of India who is camping in Garo Hills. Subsequently, the matter was brought to the notice of the Returning Officer.
According to the complainant, such release of scheme fund at his juncture would mislead the people and give undue advantage to his rival candidate and hence, he urged the General Observer to defer the payment of MGNREGS till the election is over.
Sources said that the General Observer had referred the matter to the Returning Officer who in turn took up the matter with Chief Electoral Officer.
Subsequently, the State Rural Employment Society was informed by the Chief Electoral Officer to examine whether the money can be released.
The State Rural Employment Society after due consultations, however, had given clearance to release the funds with a view that the money sanctioned was for the works completed for the last three years.
As the state government began to release the funds, NPP took up the matter with Election Commission of India, Delhi directly.
Sources added that after examining the matter, the Election Commission of India has asked the state government to provide the status of release of money under the scheme for the last one year and desired to keep in abeyance the distribution of money till a proper clarity is arrived on the matter.
