TURA: Conrad Sangma has questioned the State Government’s delay in setting up vigilance and monitoring committees on implementation of MLA schemes in respective constituencies.
The Tura MP, who heads the vigilance and monitoring committee on implementation of MP schemes, held a meeting for implementation of MDC schemes in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Tura on Thursday to review utilisation of central funds.
The Narendra Modi government at the Centre had provided a one-time financial assistance of Rs 100.71 crore to the GHADC for taking up development works in the 29 MDC constituencies.
“The State Government should propose such vigilance committees at the district and state levels for MLA schemes to ensure there is proper implementation. A review of schemes being taken up is always a healthy part of democracy. At the central level all MP schemes fall under such a committee and there are regular review meetings to see how much progress has been made,” said Sangma.
Talking about the projects taken up by the GHADC with central assistance, Sangma said 60 per cent of the funds have been released and progress of implementation had crossed the half-way mark.
However, when pointed out about the widespread allegations of fund misappropriation by the NPP-BJP-GNC-led executive committee of the GHADC, the Tura MP denied. “There are guidelines of Niti Aayog which are to be followed in total and there cannot be any deviation of funds or projects,” claimed the Tura MP whose party is currently in power in the GHADC.
Meanwhile, none of the 24 MLAs from Garo Hills attended the vigilance and monitoring meet on Thursday. The MDC areas are part of the MLA constituencies in the State. “We had given the invitations to all the MLAs 3-4 days back ahead of the meeting,” said GHADC Chairman Boston Marak. Sources said while many MLAs did not receive the invitation some were informed about the meeting at the last moment. Even the meeting at the circuit house was skipped by Congress MDCs Sadhiarani Sangma, Nipendra Koch and Jogonsing Sangma.
GHADC EC expanded
The Denang T. Sangma-led Executive Committee in the GHADC has increased the size of his council cabinet to 13.
The Wagesik MDC (NPP), Sengnal N Sangma has been made the executive member in charge of Finance while Congress defector Dhormonath Sangma of Naguapara constituency has been made EM of Rural Administration.
