SHILLONG: A day after division in the UDP bench came to fore with four MDCs pledging support to the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) led by KHADC chief executive member P N Syiem going against the party’s decision, UDP MDCs H S Shylla and Rona Khymdeit asserted that they will sit in the opposition as per the high command’s decision.
In a statement issued to the press on Thursday, Shylla said while he personally never supported the PN Syiem-led PDF, Khymdeit has also withdrawn support to the coalition as per the UDP Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) decision.
Meanwhile, stepping up the attack on Syiem, Shylla said an FIR should have been lodged against the KHADC CEM for issuing a loan of Rs 35 lakh to the Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum (KHCF).
“As per Rule 31 of the District Fund Rules 1952, no money should be withdrawn from the Fund unless it is required for immediate disbursement.
“It is not permissible to draw advances from the Fund either for the execution of the works, the completion of which is likely to take a considerable time, or to prevent the lapse of budget allotments.”
Recalling that Syiem directed the then secretary, Welljune Syiemlieh to arrange the loan money of Rs 35 lakh which will be recovered from the KHCF, Shylla alleged that such an act on the part of the CEM amounts to misappropriation of Council funds as per the Rule 31.
He also lashed out at Syiem for “washing his hands of the Council scam” and stated that people should not be misled. He added that the CEM did not route the money through proper procedure.
Shylla alleged that the Rs 35 lakh is part of the Rs 1.52 crore which was withdrawn from time to time from the Professional Tax.
