Ronnie says screening committee already exists
SHILLONG: Tura MP Conrad Sangma’s suggestion to have a vigilance and monitoring committee for MLA schemes has invited mixed response from people in the political fraternity with a section of them supporting the NPP leader as they feel such watchdogs will ensure transparency.
Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh said a screening committee already exists and BDOs monitor projects in rural areas.
Lyngdoh, who wondered whether there is a need for an alternate vigilance mechanism, said for any MLA scheme, putting up a plaque mentioning the amount spent and the name of the scheme is mandatory.
Conrad, who heads the vigilance and monitoring committee for MP schemes, had questioned the State Government’s delay in setting up similar bodies for MLA schemes in respective constituencies.
On transparency, Lyngdoh said it was the Congress government at the Centre that brought out the RTI Act under which anyone can file application to find out the status of a government scheme.
“Even the idea of Aadhaar cards and Direct Benefit Transfer were initiated by the erstwhile Congress government at the Centre,” the Minister added.
UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh welcomed the idea of a vigilance and monitoring committee for transparency but said it should not be used as a tool to “target opponents on flimsy untenable grounds”.
However, Paul said, “There is already an in-built system of scrutiny as far as Special Urban Works Programme is concerned.” Charles Pyngrope, ex-MLA from Sohryngkham, said the guidelines for implementation of MLA schemes should be followed in letter and spirit.
“The guidelines should be strengthened and automatically things will fall in place. Also, implementation of schemes should be monitored by the C&RD Department to check deviation from the rules,” he said.
Pyngrope refused to comment on the idea of setting up a separate committee and said a vigilance body already exists and the Chief Secretary is the State Vigilance Commissioner.
However, Michael Syiem, convener of Mait Shaphrang Movement said,”Vigilance committees must be set up by experts so as to look into the issues clearly”.
Asserting that some legislators are violating the separation of power as envisaged in the Constitution, Syiem said, “Some legislators would sign work orders, which are technical documents, and it needs the approval of engineers. Legislators start doing the work of executive (engineers) in this case.”