TURA: The pressure groups in Garo Hills who had alleged a scam in the GHADC said the Council executive committee is guilty of withholding information about the utilisation of Rs 100.7 crore central fund for the development of the region.
Earlier on October 31, the pressure groups- which included GSU, AYWO, FAF, FKJGP and ADE – had sought documents to prove transparency in utilisation of the One Time Special Assistance Centre Plan Scheme for 2015-16.
The organisations wanted the detailed project reports, the names of the entities which were tasked with the projects and the amount of money withdrawn from banks and the GHADC treasury.
GHADC CEM Denang T. Sangma had at the time assured that the information sought would be provided after 10 days. However, after 15 days on Tuesday, the authority took a U-turn and bluntly refused to provide the information.
The Council had earlier claimed that the amount was earmarked for the construction of a hostel for its members in Tura (Rs 6.26 crore), a taxation office building in Tura (Rs 1.9 crore), an additional guest house in Shillong (Rs 80.1 crore), extension of the shopping complex at Tura Bazar and Hawakhana, among others.
The NGOs have also come down heavily on the State government and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for keeping mum on the matter.
“Does the State Government care about the infusion of the fund to Garo Hills or does it consider it only a fund for scam or politics? If the Chief Minister cares about Garo Hills, let him check the scam in GHADC. If he is unaware of the scam let him talk with us. We are willing to share our knowledge. But if the Chief Minister is involved and care naught about Garo Hills we will continue the fight,” they said.
The pressure groups also strongly questioned Chief Secretary K S Kropha’s decision to simply approve the proposals submitted by the GHADC without confirmation and correct appraisal of the proposals.
Hitting out at Tura MP Conrad K Sangma who recently released a statement that ‘anyone can put forth questions as allegations’, the pressure groups urged the MP to get to the bottom of the matter instead of defending the GHADC EC.
“As the MP of Garo Hills, he has responsibilities beyond his commitments to the GHADC. Being the national president of the GHADC ruling party, he must make statements responsibly and should not resort to rhetoric when he is talking about Rs 100.71 crore meant for the development of Garo Hills. Besides, if he is so convinced that there is no cause for concern in the GHADC, he should ask them to provide counter proof and also ask the GHADC EC to provide documents and material to the NGOs,” they stated.
The pressure groups, who have resolved to keep fighting against corruption are now contemplating filing an RTI as well as resorting to democratic agitation as soon as the leaders get a chance to meet to make a final decision.
