SHILLONG, June 28: Leader of Opposition (LO) in the KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne on Wednesday questioned if the present Executive Committee (EC) intend to pay the pension of the former MDCs.
While participating in the cut motion moved by HSPDP MDC Martle N Mukhim on the final day of the summer session, former Chief Executive Member (CEM) Chyne said that the EC did not earmark any amount for the pension of former MDCs of the Council.
“I am not aware about the intention of the EC. There are eight former MDCs who had demanded that they should get the pension as per the bill passed by the council, which is fixed at Rs 5,000 per month,” Chyne said.
He recalled that the former EC of the Council had landed in a major problem as the eight former MDCs decided to approach the High Court of Meghalaya over non-disbursal of their pension.
Chyne said that the High Court had directed the Council to pay the pension of the eight former MDCs and the arrears.
The LO recalled that contempt of court notices were issued to the council for not paying the pension and the arrears.
“We were able to release only 50 percent of the amount. After this, another 20 plus former MDCs approached the court for non-payment of the pension,” he said. In view of this, the former EC had intended to introduce an amendment to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Members Pension) Act, 2002, taking into the account the financial position of the council.
“We had no intention to deny the former MDCs their pension. But we needed to incorporate provisions so that the council does not land into a problem again,” Chyne said.
On this, the incumbent CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem said that the EC has decided to defer the proposed amendment since it wants to examine the proposal through a select committee, if need arises. He, however, added that the EC will try to find a way to provide the pension to the former MDCs.
Admitting that there are no funds earmarked for former MDCs’ pension, Syiem said, “…we can always bring supplementary demand if there is a need.”
