SHILLONG: Senior government official HM Shangpliang, against whom a showcause notice was issued by the government, has denied his involvement in political activities.
In his statement to the government as per the reply to the RTI query filed by Agnes Kharshiing, Shangpliang said he was referring only to MHIS scheme during the meeting held at Lawbah under Mawsynram.
Earlier in July, the showcause issued by the government, based on media reports and a video clip, had said the official was allegedly calling and attending political party meetings and “also allegedly indulging in politically partisan diversion of government schemes and funding to secure political support”. The commissioner and secretary, personnel, had also cited violation of Rule 3 (1) and Rule 5 of the All India Service conduct rules.
According to the RTI reply, Shangpliang sent two explanation letters to the government referring to the meeting he attended at Lawbah reiterating that as the CEO of MHIS-III he was only explaining about the scheme that will expire in May 2018 and no political statement was made.
The official had also enclosed the letter of All Mawsynram Development Council regarding the meeting related to MHIS on July 8.
The official, however, concluded in his letter that if any of his particular action had caused any undue embarrassment to the government, the same was unintentional and urged the government to take a sympathetic view on the matter and to withdraw the showcause notice issued on July 13.
