High Court fines PIL mover with Rs 5,000
SHILLONG: Though a PIL seeking CBI probe into the illegal transfer of fund was heard by the High Court of Meghalaya on March 21, it did not interfere with the decision of KHADC to refer the matter to the House Committee.
The PIL mover, Solomon Soh was fined Rs 5,000 for not following certain procedures which are required for moving the PIL and also considering the fact that following the allegation of misappropriation of KHADC funds, an independent inquiry was set up, consisting of the Judge, District Council Court and the First Class Magistrate
Later, the probe report was referred to the House Committee while seeking findings for consideration of the District Council in session.
The chief executive member of the Council P.N Syiem said on Sunday that the KHADC House Committee report on the alleged transfer of Rs 2 crore will be tabled at 11am on Monday during a special session
The House Committee chairman, Mansturdy Nongrem (Congress), recently submitted the report to KHADC Chairman L.G Nongsiej.
Nongrem had suggested that the House should hold a special session for the tabling of the report.
Prior to the House panel, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council executive committee had constituted the inquiry committee to probe the alleged scam.
The committee which comprised KHADC Judge S. Kharsyiemlieh and S.B Laitthma, First Class Magistrate of the District Council Court, had indicted the former Secretary of the Council, Welljune Syiemlieh, for misappropriation of the fund.
Nongrem, however, refused to disclose the contents of the report stating that it “is the property of the House and it will be tabled in the House”.
Fresh petition on MUDA building bye laws
The issue with regard to KHADC versus MUDA building bye laws of the state government will be consulted with lawyers, KHADC CEM said.
It may be reminded that the state government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chief was at loggerheads over the contentious issue of MUDA building bye laws which was alleged to have encroached into scheduled areas.
Syiem previously had said that the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) will file a fresh petition after public complained of MUDA being implemented in scheduled areas.
The High Court has extended the MUDA jurisdiction beyond municipal areas after hearing a PIL seeking the implementation of the building permission in the entire Shillong Master Plan areas.
