SHILLONG: The opposition members in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) alleged that the Chief Executive Member (CEM), PN Syiem, has misused and abused his position by distributing work orders to the candidates of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) before the elections.
The members of the opposition — which included UDP MDCs Donkupar Sumer, Teinwell Dkhar, Rona Khymdeit, Congress MDCs Lamphrang Blah and Kimfa Marbaniang, HSPDP Samlin Malniang led by leader of the opposition, Manstudy Nongrem — expressed disappointment over the chief executive member’s behaviour as he refused to discuss the matter.
Speaking to reporters later, Nongrem said, “We want to seek clarification on the distribution of work orders before the election in our respective constituencies.”
Alleging that he got reliable information that from the Rs 32 crore special assistance scheme, Syiem gave away work order of Rs 28 crore.
“We went to submit a letter to apprise him of the matter but he refused to discuss saying that he would give it in writing,” Nongrem added.
Irked by the incident, UDP’s Dkhar said, “I told him that it is the council asset and not his prerogative. The money that we get from the central government is for everyone to know. Now he has done it on a personal level.”
HSPDP’s Malniang added that the work order was given through Judah Wahlang, who is a PDF candidate from Sohiong.
To this, UDP’s Sumer said, “CEM bypassed the MDCs and misused his chair. Even a copy to the MDC is not given but it is held by him.”
Sumer alleged that the scheme in Umsning constituency was distributed by PDF candidate Jason Mawlong. “We went to talk to him about it but he had a sudden outburst and said he did not want to give any clarification,” he added.
Nongrem said the MDCs would call a meeting to discuss the matter.
Expressing disappointment with Syiem, Nongrem said, “We are also members, why didn’t he respect us, we have to respect each other.”
As for demand of stepping down of the CEM, the members said it would depend on the outcome of the MDC meeting.
Meanwhile, Syiem refuted the allegations saying schemes can be implemented by the Executive Committee in areas falling within the jurisdiction of the District Council and may not necessarily be routed through the MDCs.
“Whether to provide the scheme to any area within the jurisdiction of the Council is the prerogative of the CEM and the executive committee, which means we can set priorities except the schemes earmarked for MDCs,” he said.
Other extra scheme depends on the wisdom of the executive committee. It depends on the Development Department as anybody can collect that very work order, he added. On the other hand, the CEM denied that work orders were given through candidates. “All the schemes can’t be routed through MDCs. There are schemes that depend on the wisdom and observation of the executive committee,” Syiem said.
