SHILLONG: An inquiry report on misappropriation of KHADC funds by forest officials has been submitted to the Executive Committee (EC) of the council.
Chief Executive Member PN Syiem informed the House through a written reply on Wednesday that the committee was examining the report. When asked by HSPDP MDC Mansturdy Nongrem during a supplementary question about the action taken against those named, Syiem said the report said the chief forest officer (CFO) was guilty of six charges.
He informed that there were four others who were suspected to be involved but after the inquiry, only the CFO was found to be involved in the misappropriation. Replying to a query raised by NPP MDC HS Shylla on the misappropriated amount, Syiem said it was Rs 34,30,000.
(“The council has taken action against him as per the Service Rules,” he said, adding that the district council has written to him which stated that the EC is contemplating action under clause 3 (4) of Rule 4 of Chapter VI of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Service Rule, 1951, as amended.
Again, as per Rule 6 (1) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Service Rule, 1951, the CFO has been given the opportunity to make representation to the disciplinary authority.
Traditional practitioners
Syiem said 37 traditional medicine practitioners have applied to be awarded as traditional doctors. Their applications will have to be studied and examined by the Commission headed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) MDC Banteidor Lyngdoh.
Laptops for MDCs
With regard to the distribution of laptops to MDCs and officers of the council raised by Nongrem, Syiem said the process to procure laptops is under process. He said a few officers of the KHADC will get the laptops.