GHADC Dy CEM refutes opp’s scam allegation
TURA: Deputy CEM of GHADC and spokesperson of the GHPA alliance Augustine Marak has said that as many as 886 schemes and projects have been taken up for implementation by the district council by utilising the central funds released by the Modi government for development of Garo Hills.
He also dismissed allegations that constituencies represented by opposition MDCs were being overlooked by the NPP-led alliance in the implementation of the schemes.
“We have cleared 886 projects for which money to the tune of Rs 102 crores and some lakhs have been earmarked. The central funding of Rs 100 Crore and 71 lakh will be utilised for these projects and the shortfall will be adjusted from our own council funds,” said Marak.
Clarifying on the opposition allegations of ‘biasness’ towards their constituencies, Marak said that the guidelines for the utilisation of the central funds do not state it has to be equally distributed.
“The guidelines clearly state that schemes have to be based on priority. Moreover, we have ensured all 29 district council constituencies, including those represented by opposition MDCs, receive their share of the schemes. They cannot deny the fact that their constituencies have been represented,” said the Deputy CEM.
Giving a breakdown of the NITI Aayog guidelines for the utilisation of the central schemes, he said that it was mandatory for the formation of a district level committee under the chairmanship of the CEM, formation of a state-level committee headed by the state chief secretary which includes all the MDCs, MLAs and the MP of Garo Hills.
“The district council level committee prepares the plan and estimates which is then sent to the EC headed by the CEM and after their approval it is given to the concerned departments of the state government for technical approval. One cannot bend the rules of the central government as alleged,” said Augustine Marak.
Central funding not part of ANVC Peace Pact: The GHADC has also issued a clarification that the recent release of central funds under the one-time special assistance plan is not part of the ANVC peace pact agreement signed between the now disbanded militant outfit with the state and central governments.
“There are rumours circulating that this money was part of the peace pact signed by the government and the ANVC. This is not true. The central government has clearly given in writing that this money was being granted to the autonomous councils in the entire north east for the development of their respective regions,” said the Deputy CEM.