KHADC CEM says financial report for the fest will be tabled on last day of council session
SHILLONG: Congress MDC Manstudy Nongrem has demanded that the KHADC Executive Committee give a detailed report on the expenditure incurred while organising the first Monolith Festival in 2013.
Nongrem pointed out that till date the EC has not been able to submit a report on the matter.
“While the budget for the festival was earmarked at Rs 40 lakh, media reports suggested that the expenditure was Rs 4 crore. How much has the EC given to the forum,” asked Nongrem.
To this, KHADC CEM P.N Syiem replied that the EC should be given time to complete the report.
Nongrem expressed dismay that the report has not been placed either in 2013 or 2016. “Question arises as to when will the EC give the report?”
Meanwhile, UDP MDC H.S Shylla asked whether the EC gave a loan of Rs 35 lakh to Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum (KHCF) to which Syiem replied that it would be discussed after the report is placed in the House.
Irked over the reply, Shylla said, “Whether the EC has given a loan of Rs 35 lakh to Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum or not? No discussion (is required), the question (should be answered) in yes or no.”
A cornered Syiem affirmed that the KHADC did give a loan of Rs 35 lakh to the KHCF. However, the complete details will be revealed when the inquiry report is placed in the House, he said.
He added that the financial report for the 2013 Monolith Fest would be placed in the House on the last day of the budget session.
The denial of the KHADC CEM that the KHCF has submitted the detailed expenditure incurred during the Monolith Festival caused hue and cry at the Council session on Monday.
Syiem said once the KHCF submits the financial report to the Council, details of the expenditure incurred in the festival would be revealed.