MTDC spends Rs 1.9 cr in legal fees in six years

Shillong: The Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), a Government of Meghalaya undertaking has been spending lavishly on fees to lawyers, according to the reply to RTI query by CSWO.
The CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said in a statement that the organisation was shocked and concerned at the extravagance of the MTDC as it is paying exorbitant fees to lawyers at the rate of Rs 2 lakh and more for an appearance in Meghalaya High Court, when it should have been bound by its financial rules.
The RTI reply reveals that between 2013-2014 to 2017-2018, the corporation had paid Rs 1,90,51,443 to lawyers appearing in cases for MTDC. The CSWO wanted to know if the government is complaining of financial crunch, why is there no monitoring done?
The CSWO also found that bills were drawn by the legal counsel of the MTDC even when the lawyer was not present in the Court or when the lawyer of MTDC seeks adjournment.
“This shows that public funds are misused and action should be taken against those taking advantage of this”, Kharshiing said.
According to Kharshiing, the government has been funding the MTDC and the few who corrupt should not be tolerated and expenses should be in public scrutiny.
The CSWO added that it will take action to ensure that such persons do not exploit public money.