SHILLONG: UDP MDC HS Shylla has lauded the Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum (KHCF) for repaying the Rs 35 lakh which was taken as a loan from KHADC on March 31, 2016.
Stating that he has nothing against members of the KHCF, he criticised KHCF chairman Neil Antonio War who is also executive member in charge of Financial Affairs of the KHADC.
Shylla referred to Rule 31 of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Fund Rules, 1952 which states, “No money should be withdrawn from the fund unless it is required for immediate disbursement. It is not permissible to drawn advances from the fund either for the prosecution of the works, the completion of which is likely to take a considerable time, or to prevent the lapse of budget allotments.”
Asserting that KHADC is not a ‘financial institution’ Shylla said War should have refused the loan amount of Rs 35 lakh to KHCF as rules do not permit the same.
He wanted to know whether the loan agreement had any clause on the amount of interest or if the loan to KHCF was interest free.
He recalled that during the Council session, War had asserted that he would refund the Rs 35 lakh if the KHCF defaulted on payment.“We ought to know whether the loan amount was returned after the KHCF received the sponsorship money or whether it was the KHCF chairman who paid from his own pocket,” Shylla said.
He also wondered whether the amount of Rs 57.22 lakh received by the KHCF for holding the Monolith Festival 2013 was given as loan or grant or sponsorship.
Nongkrem schemes
Shylla alleged that KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem has not released the file of Nongkrem MDC Constituency in relation to schemes of Rs. 1.12 crore which has been approved and another Rs 1.5 crore worth of new schemes.
He alleged that Syiem has employed a henchman who visits villages, schools and organisations who have received schemes below Rs 1.12 crore and instructs them what to do with the schemes. He informed that he has written to the CEM over the non-release of schemes to Nongkrem Constituency and has forwarded a copy of the same to the officer in-charge of Madanrting police station.
