Tura, Jan 25: As many as three MDCs of the ruling coalition, with two belonging to the NPP itself, were relieved from their chairman posts in various capacities within the GHADC through a notification issued on Tuesday.
Linekar K Sangma of the NPP and chairman of the Garo Hills Growers Association, Sengchim Sangma, also of the NPP, and chairman of the Planning and Advisory Board and Independent MDC, Aktar Ali, who headed the Forest Advisory Committee, were removed from their positions with immediate effect through a notification passed by the Council Chief Executive Member, Benedic Marak.
The GHADC CEM said that the three MDCs were already contemplating resigning from their positions and as such the decision was taken.
When questioned as to why his own party members were against him and seeking his ouster, the CEM said that many were not happy that he was using the money collected through revenues as well as from the state in the disbursal of salaries.
Further, he also alleged that there was a lot of interference from the state in terms of governance and disbursal of funds.
“They (state NPP) don’t want us to talk to the Centre directly. They want all meetings with the central leadership to actually pass through them. We have met various central agencies, most of whom are willing to help the GHADC during this crisis, with money from the Centre due soon. This has not been liked by many in the leadership,” stated Benedic Marak.
The move of the CEM to remove the three MDCs from their positions has not gone down well within the NPP ranks with an MDC, who wished to remain anonymous, stating the move was made without any form of consultation with the executive committee.
“This was his unilateral decision and we had nothing to do with it. In fact we were not even aware until the notification. We are already moving for his removal as CEM as he has been causing massive damage to the image of the party itself,” said the MDC.
Elaborating further, the NPP MDC said that there was a recent case of funds from the Centre being diverted to the GHADC through the state.
“It was a tied fund which could only be used for the purpose for which it was provided. However, during Christmas last year, he diverted the funds to salaries. While his intentions were noble, the way it was done was wrong as it can create a huge problem in future funding to the GHADC. What he provided was temporary respite and not a permanent solution. This can affect the funds we receive in the future.
Moreover, why should we have a problem if the salaries of employees are cleared,” asked the NPP MDC.
The MDC further blamed the bad relationships that Benedic apparently had with the NPP state leadership which he felt led to the crisis at hand.
“It had been arranged that GHADC would have funds to pay salaries before Christmas from the state but it was his ego that came in the way,” alleged the MDC.
He clarified that there was already an understanding that salary would be provided to employees from the Council’s share of royalty from the state but the CEM refused to approach the state’s leaders which added to pressure from employees leading to him having to divert funds from the tied fund in question.
Apparently, salaries of four months of the employees were cleared before Christmas.
“Tomorrow what happens if the CAG questions where the funds are,” he asked.
The GHADC has seen recent turbulence with many MDCs from both camps looking to switch allegiances if they haven’t already done so. The main opposition All India Trinamool Congress’ (AITC) Stevie Marak has already confirmed his joining with the NPP with another, Habibuz Zaman still contemplating on what next needs to be done.
Meanwhile on the flipside, Benedic as well as Dhormonath Sangma have also been rumoured to be shifting camps to the AITC. However, there has been no official confirmation from either on their next move.
The coming few weeks are expected to see huge developments on the front of the executive committee formation as both the NPP and the AITC look to assert their dominance. However, until the next Council session there may just be many more interesting facets that are revealed as the state heads into 2023.
