Govt attitude ‘childish’, says KHADC chief
SHILLONG: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM P.N. Syiem has expressed dismay at the ‘childish attitude’ of the State government in delaying release of funds allocated to the District Council by the Central government.
Speaking to reporters here, he said that developmental activities of the Council are suspended due to the government’s non-release of the funds.
“The State government should release the principal amount along with interest and also bear responsible for the postponement of several schemes meant for developmental purposes,” he said.
“The conflict arising out of non-release of funds to develop scheduled areas within the jurisdiction of the KHADC will ultimately lead people to blame the government,” he added.
Informing that he had written a letter to the Finance and Home minister demanding immediate release of funds, Syiem questioned the basis of the delay in releasing the funds.
On being asked whether the KHADC has received any guidelines as to the implementation of the schemes, he said, “We have not received any guidelines from the Finance ministry as the schemes are to be implemented as per the guidelines of the NITI Aayog.”
It may be reminded that the Centre has allocated Rs 267.42 crores to the three ADCs – Rs 133.12 crores for KHADC, Rs 100 crores for GHADC and Rs 33.75 crores for JHADC.
As per guidelines, the State government should submit the details of the schemes and subsequently the utilization certificates to NITI Aayog.
On the other hand, Syiem appreciated the government for introducing the Meghalaya Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2016 but gave no further comments on the Act.
“The government can bring any law which is according to the Lokayukta Act,” he said.
