MDC wants clarity on Rs 36 cr Wahkaji-Mawthabah road

SHILLONG: KHNAM MDC James B Basaiawmoit drew the attention of the House to the Rs 36 cr meant for the construction of Wahkaji-Mawthabah road project at the end of the question hour during the council’s budget session on Monday.
Basaiawmoit was supported by UDP MDC H S Shylla who endorsed the move and said that the member needs to be allowed to discuss the matter as it involves alleged misappropriation of Rs 36 crore.
In reply, KHADC CEM PN Syiem said, “I have called the officer to find out the truth so that it will be known whether it is for development or to allow uranium mining.”
He added that the KHADC will also find out the matter from the finance department of the Council for the sake of clarity.
It is learnt that zero hour notice will be moved on Tuesday.
Later, Syiem revealed that the Rs 36 crore was not deposited in the account of the council and surprisingly there are no records as to how much compensation was paid to land owners. Land owners were paid in cash by the KHADC Executive Committee led by then CEM Shylla.
It was learnt that a memorandum of understanding was signed between then KHADC CEM Shylla and UCIL on January 12, 2006.