By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 26: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday reconstituted its Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to address the recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its audit report for the financial year ending March 31, 2020.
The decision to form the PAC followed a suggestion by Opposition Leader Titostarwell Chyne after the KHADC’s Chief Executive Member (CEM) Shemborlang Rynjah presented the CAG report during the Council’s budget session.
Chyne pointed out that while the CAG report has traditionally been tabled in the House, there was a pressing need to establish a PAC to review and act on the observations and recommendations outlined in the report.
He noted that the CAG specifically recommended forming a PAC to ensure proper follow-up on the audit findings. He added that the PAC could advise the Executive Committee on the necessary steps to address the concerns raised in the report.
Supporting Chyne’s suggestion, Rynjah emphasized the importance of reconstituting the PAC.
Consequently, Chyne was nominated as the PAC chairman. The committee includes three ruling members — Juristman Iawphniaw, Denzil R. Chen, and Eddieson Kharumnuid — and two opposition members — Grace Mary Kharpuri and Ricky Shullai.
The Council also reconstituted the Khasi Traditional Medicine Commission on Wednesday.
The 12-member commission, reconstituted under the KHAD (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011, will be chaired by Rynjah, with C. Pohlong, the Joint Secretary to the Council’s Executive Committee, serving as Secretary.
While presenting the report on the commission’s reconstitution, Rynjah stated that its roles and responsibilities are defined under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Protection and Promotion of Khasi Traditional Medicine) Act, 2011, along with the associated rules.
The commission members include four eminent Khasi traditional practitioners: D.L. Nongspung, Alka Kharsati, Boss Myrthong, and Dlas Rani; two notable practitioners from other medical systems, J.P. Lyngdoh and Sparstarlin; and four distinguished members from civil society, P.S. Nianglang, Fabian Lyngdoh, Kitboklang Nongphlang, and R.S. Wanniang.