SHILLONG: The KHADC has ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged diversion of funds to the personal accounts of the Council functionaries.
The magisterial probe was preferred as the CBI inquiry “will be a lengthy procedure”.
Replying to the issue of misappropriation of KHADC funds in the House during the zero hour notice moved by HSPDP member Teilinia Thangkhiew, CEM P.N Syiem said the time frame for the magistrate to submit the inquiry report on diversion of the Council’s funds will be two months. “Whether the Executive Committee (EC) knows or does not know (about the misappropriation) will be reflected in the inquiry report, and we want to reveal the truth,” Syiem said.
He also added that the magisterial inquiry report will be submitted to the EC, which will then be provided to the members. If the members are not satisfied, they can approach the EC, Syiem said.
A note of discord surfaced during the session on Wednesday when KHADC Deputy CEM P.T Sawkmie tried to participate in the zero hour debate. The CEM pointed out that an executive member cannot participate in the debate before the members of the House conclude their discussion on the matter.
At this point, KHNAM’s Adelbert Nongrum intervened and suggested to KHADC Chairman Mansturdy Nongrem to abide by the district council rules and go ahead with the proceedings.
Nongrem asked Sawkmie to speak only when it was the turn of the EC to reply.
UDP member T. Dkhar said there is a need for transparency in dealing with the accounts “as it is a puzzling situation as to how the funds were diverted to the personal accounts”.
After Nongrum insisted for a CBI inquiry, Sawkmie said, “A CBI inquiry will be a lengthy procedure and we should settle for a magisterial inquiry instead.”
Sawkmie even asked N Antonio War, executive member in charge Finance, to surrender his portfolio.
Sawkmie even went to the extent of saying that he was Deputy CEM only in name because he was in the dark about the misappropriation of funds.
Later, speaking to reporters, Sawkmie expressed doubts about the credibility of War and wondered as to how an officer can authorize the transfer of fund without the permission of the superiors.
