TURA: Setting an example for others in the GHADC, particularly those belonging to the ruling dispensation in the council, opposition Congress MDC Sadhiarani Sangma has asked chief executive member Dipul Marak to release 10 out of her 24 months’ pending salary and contribute it to Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to fight against the Covid-19 virus infection.
GHADC employees and MDCs have not been paid for 24 months.
The decision comes at a time when the entire country and the state are under a lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19 corona virus infection. The lock down has disrupted normal life and impacted the marginalised sections of society.
“As an elected representative, it is also my responsibility to contribute to mitigate the problem. Therefore, the worth of my 10 months’ salary out of 24 months of pending salary may be released immediately so that I can contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund…” said the Congress MDC and lone woman member in a letter to CEM Dipul Marak.
She pointed out in her letter that the prevailing situation caused by the pandemic Covid-19 in the country and all over the world with Meghalaya also getting badly affected.
Acknowledging the necessity of placing the entire country under a lock down to prevent further transmission and spread of the virus, thereby saving human lives, Sadhiarani pointed out that during such calamities it is always the daily wage earners who suffer the most.
The decision comes at a time when the GHADC is embroiled in a controversy over alleged misappropriation of central funds. The opposition Congress and the BJP have accused the Dipul Marak EC of clandestinely withdrawing central fund worth Rs 24 crore.
Though the ruling party has maintained that there has been no such withdrawal, opposition MDCs are alleging large scale corruption.
