SHILLONG, Jan 16: Tura MP Saleng A. Sangma has accused the NPP-led Executive Committee of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) of failing the people of Garo Hills, ever since the state government began paying the salaries of GHADC employees.
He questioned the state government’s sudden “eagerness” to intervene in GHADC affairs by taking over salary payments.
“As soon as the state government started paying the salaries, people realized that the NPP-led EC cannot run the GHADC,” Sangma said.
He emphasised that Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are meant to manage their own affairs using their own resources.
Sangma pointed out that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) had rejected similar offers from the state government.
The MP expressed suspicion about the timing of this intervention—coming after 42 months of salary arrears—and suggested possible malafide intentions behind the move.
Recalling that the GHADC received substantial one-time grants from the 15th Finance Commission, along with crores in sanctioned works, Sangma questioned whether the state government’s action was intended to cover up alleged scams or financial mismanagement.
He demanded clarification from the government on the source of these salary payments—whether from the state government’s own funds, the one-time grants, or shares of minor and major minerals.
