SHILLONG, May 24: Taking a jibe at social activist and TUR member Angela Rangad, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday said that the former should contest the 2023 Assembly elections and serve the people of the state.
“It is easy to make false accusations. We are here to serve the people as guided by the Constitution of India. You might change your mind by contesting the elections and serve the people better,” Tynsong said.
Calling it unfortunate that such irresponsible allegations are levelled by a person of stature, Tynsong, however, stated that Rangad has no authority to demand that he step down from the post of deputy chief minister. “I am sitting in the position because of the faith of the people of Pynursla constituency. You have no authority to tell me to resign,” Tynsong stated.
On her allegation of misuse of funds under the one-time financial assistance earmark by the government during the national lockdown last year, which was supposed to be provided to the daily labourers and petty traders, Tynsong said that the charges are false.
He clarified that every single paisa which is being spent has been audited which is being approved by the Chief Controller of Account. “I think she (Rangad) needs to go for training at MATI to understand the nitty-gritty of the functioning of the government machinery. After receiving the training she will no longer make such unfounded allegations,” Tynsong said.
His reactions come after TUR member Angela Rangad had alleged corruption related to the financial assistance released for daily wagers and others who have lost their jobs during the national lockdown last year.
Over 2 lakh applicants
On the sidelines, the deputy chief minister also informed that the state received more than 2.33 lakh applications from daily wagers, vendors and others who lost their jobs during the national lockdown.
Out of this, Tynsong informed, a total of 1.81 lakh were found to be qualified and eligible to receive the special assistance of Rs. 2,100 after proper verification of their documents.
Informing that so far 1.45 lakh have so far received the assistance, he said transfers have been initiated for the remaining 36,330 is being through HDFC bank and State Bank of India.
“We have so far transferred an amount of Rs 30.31 crore to the various beneficiaries. An amount of Rs 7.50 crore is left,” he said.
On the financial assistance to the labourers registered with the Meghalaya Other Construction and Building Workers Welfare Board, Tynsong said that Rs 1.21 crore has been disbursed at the rate of Rs 5000 per beneficiary for 25,794 workers.
