Probe indicts former KHADC EC secretary for cash withdrawal
SHILLONG: The inquiry committee constituted by the Executive Committee of the KHADC on the misappropriation of council’s funds has stated that the then Secretary to the Executive Committee (EC), W. Syiemlieh is responsible for all the allegations of misappropriation of crores of rupees.
Basing on the terms of reference, the Committee further said that Syiemlieh is liable to be punished under section 406/408/409/420 IPC or as the EC deems fit.
The committee comprised of S. Kharsyiemlieh, Judge of the District Council Court and S.B. Laitthma, First Class Magistrate of the District Council Court which submitted its report to the EC recently and placed in the budget session on Wednesday.
In light of the inquiry report on the misappropriation of around Rs 2 crore, a House Committee will be constituted with Congress MDC Mansturdy Nongrem as Chairman, M. Kharkrang, KHADC Joint Secretary as member secretary, HSPDP MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew, KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum and UDP MDC Tienwell Dkhar as members.
The members will submit the report within one month following which the Executive Committee will examine the matter and convene a meeting.
Land acquisition at Byrnihat market
The probe report said that after verifying from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi, it was found that the area of the land acquired for the construction of four lane road is 405 sq m at the rate of Rs 264 per sq m amounting to Rs 2,29,061 out which Rs 1,83,249 and has been withdrawn by then Secretary to the Executive Committee (EC), W. Syiemlieh on September 29, 2014 and the balance is Rs 45, 812.
With regard to structure or building, the total amount of compensation money to be paid to the Council is Rs 30,55,497 and the amount withdrawn by Syiemlieh is Rs 24,44,398 on September 29, 2014 and the balance to be withdrawn in both the land and structure is Rs 6,56,911 the report said.
Syiemlieh admitted that he had sent letters to the Meghalaya Rural Bank to deposit the money in his personal account.
The personal letters written by the Syiemlieh to the Chief Manager of Meghalaya Rural Bank on October 23, 2013 directed him to transfer Rs 16 lakh to his personal account. On November 25, 2013, there was a direction to transfer Rs 20 lakh, on July 26, 2014, Rs 8 lakh and on February 4, 2015, Rs 12 lakh.
Again there was an endorsement on March 28, 2016, directing to transfer Rs 35 lakh to the account of Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum (KHCF). Earlier on October 19, 2013, Rs 50 lakh was transferred to his account and on July 16, 2015 Rs 50 lakh was transferred.
Further, a recorded statement of Syiemlieh said, “The transfer of bank account of the KHADC to my personal account and to the account of Ibaleisha Syiemlieh was through verbal instruction from the executive members of the KHADC. There was no official sanction shown in writings from the said executive members. It was in good faith, so I acted upon, what was instructed to me. There was no intention on my part to corrupt or misappropriate the Council’s money.”
According to Syiemlieh, when there was urgent need to release the financial aid or loan to any parties, it should have been processed through the office, but during that time when the Monolith Festival was held, the matter was so urgent, hence all the financial transactions which was done for that purpose could not be processed through office procedures.
The probe panel, however, found the manner in which the money was withdrawn was irregular.
Purchase of land at Mawkyrwat
Syiemlieh has directed to transfer Rs 12 lakh from the account of the KHADC office to his personal account for onward payment to Nolipstar Lyngdoh against the Bill for the purchase of his land at Mawkyrwat.
However, the inquiry report said that no records were found pertaining to any receipts or land documents. This showed that there is no proof that the amount of Rs 12 lakh was actually paid to Lyngdoh.
Deputy Secretary to EC in charge finance said that sanction of bill for Rs 12 lakh was not reflected in the accounts department.
Loan to Anderson structural construction
Syiemlieh on October 23, 2013 in a letter directed the bank to transfer Rs 50 lakh to his personal account for payment as loan to Anderson structural construction
In his statement recorded by the inquiry committee, Syiemlieh said that the loan sanctioned to Anderson structural construction has been refunded and the same adjusted with other liabilities of the office.
The committee, after examining the statements of Deputy Secretary In Charge Finance and Syiemlieh had observed that the action by Syiemlieh was highly irregular and illegal amounting to the misappropriation of Council’s funds.
In this connection, the enquiry committee said that as appeared from evidence on record, it is found that the total amount that was transferred from the accounts of the office to the personal account of Syiemlieh and others is Rs 1.52 crore.
The committee said that to prevent future misappropriation of fund, financial transactions should be passed by the Executive Committee and that every fund received by the KHADC should be reflected in the account book.