TURA: The Congress-led executive committee in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, led by chief executive member Boston Ch Marak, has been accused of withdrawing Rs 28 crore of central fund that was released to the autonomous body by the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
The opposition National People’s Party (NPP) is demanding an investigation into the withdrawal of the money by the current EC.
“This central fund of Rs 28 crore was recently given by the Tribal Affairs Ministry for developmental activities of all GHADC jurisdiction areas. It was not meant for development of selected MDCs,” said former CEM and leader of the opposition Denang T Sangma.
According to the NPP leader, the Boston Marak-led EC withdrew the fund without following proper procedures and failed to provide tenders for works to be taken up under the scheme.
The funds from the Tribal Affairs Ministry were to be allocated to each MDC constituency based on the projects to be taken up. NPP alleged that only the ruling members were selected.
“The Congress EC even forced the officer-in-charge to issue cheques in the name of contractors to withdraw the money. This has to be the biggest scam by the Congress in the history of the GHADC and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that necessary action is taken against the perpetrators,” said Sangma.
He also lashed out at the current Congress EC’s inability to clear salaries which are pending for more than a year.