EM accuses KHADC EC of lavish spending, corruption

SHILLONG: Cracks within the Executive Committee (EC) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) surfaced after Independent MDC and Executive Member (EM), James Sylliang raised objections over the frequent air-travel by the CEM and other EMs which “led to drainage of public money”.
Sylliang also alleged that the KHADC had misled the people on the expenditure of over Rs 2 lakh during the meeting of the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) of all North East states in the city last year.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Sylliang said, “The frequent visits to Delhi by the CEM and other EMs indicate their overbearing nature. I am surprised that a total amount of Rs 9, 88, 735 lakh was spent on air travel and another Rs 1, 08, 750 was parted  with in food, lodging and other transportation”
Stating that the people have been misled by the KHADC with regard to the huge expenditure of Rs 2, 49, 561 lakh during the meeting of all the Autonomous District Council (ADC) of all North East states at Pinewood Hotel last year, he said, “The expenditure ceiling should not have been more than Rs 50,000 which included the hall and food. It was impossible for it to reach to the total amount of Rs 2,49, 561 lakh.”
“The Council day could have been celebrated inside the hall of the MDC hostel instead of wasting public money by erecting a stage at the premises of the District Council which cost lakhs of rupees,” he added.
He pointed out that till date he has not received the relief payment for his constituency, Mawhati, Ri-Bhoi after it was affected by storm and houses were destroyed.
“I have written to the Council seeking monetary relief to the victims but till date I have not received any reply,” he said.
He stated that the CEM has increased the budget of the Law department, a portfolio that the CEM holds from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 60 lakh to fight court cases.
“The CEM should have allocated sufficient amount of money for the Education department to raise the standard of education in the remote villages,” he argued.