By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 30: The Opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has expressed optimism that the Centre will soon release the long-pending tied and untied grants under the 15th Finance Commission, following a recent meeting between the incumbent Executive Committee (EC) and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne welcomed the initiative of the present EC in taking up the matter directly with the Finance Minister. He said that the pending grants for 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 have delayed several constituency-level schemes, and their release would greatly benefit the public.
“If the funds are released, different constituencies will finally be able to implement the proposed schemes. We are also hopeful that the grant for 2022-23 will be cleared since the EC has already directed the MDCs to submit scheme proposals,” Chyne said, adding that both treasury and opposition members stand to benefit.
He stressed the need for the funds to be fully released within the current financial year. “It is clear that if we fail to implement the tied and untied schemes now, we may lose the opportunity once the 16th Finance Commission comes into effect from the 2026-27 financial year,” he cautioned.
A three-member KHADC delegation recently met Sitharaman in New Delhi, urging her to expedite the release of the remaining funds from the 15th Finance Commission and provide special financial support for key tribal-area projects in the Khasi Hills.
The delegation comprised EM in charge of Land, Powell Sohkhlet, EM in charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, and the nominated MDC, Matthew Makdoh.
Terming the meeting “fruitful,” Sohkhlet said the Finance Minister directed officials to explore all possible avenues to unlock the pending funds routed through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. He added that the KHADC also appealed for special assistance to advance critical development projects in tribal areas. The team further met senior officials, including the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, to follow up on projects sanctioned under the 15th Finance Commission and to ensure smoother implementation going forward.
