SHILLONG: An RTI activist has accused Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh of misusing MLA and MDC schemes in Sohiong, his constituency.
Curtis Rani, while addressing a press conference on Monday, said RTI findings reveal that Lyngdoh misused the Chief Minister’s Rural Development Fund amounting to Rs 15 lakh and the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund of over Rs 25 lakh.
“He (Lyngdoh) channelled the funds for constructing road on his home premises and for establishing Meribon K.H Memorial College in Sohiong,” he added.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma inaugurated the college, which was reportedly funded by HDR Educational Trust, last August.
Rani, however, rejected the claims that the college was funded by the Trust.
“It is surprising that the college was inaugurated on August 25, 2016, whereas the financial assistance was granted from 2012-2013 and 2013-2014,” he said, adding that other schools in the area did not get similar benefits as the Trust.
The activist said he was not against establishment of educational institutes but was opposed to misuse of schemes meant for the public.
Asserting that an MLA or MDC who misuse public schemes should resign, he said, “The schemes should not benefit an MLA or an MDC and we urge all not to use the schemes for their personal interest.”
Pointing to another case of misappropriation, Rani said, “HDR Lyngdoh gave away both MLA and MDC schemes to the same place for setting up a football ground.”
Rani added that work order for the implementation of the MDC scheme was given away to Lyngdoh’s personal secretary.
“We will find out whether duplicity is allowed,” he said.
Rani recently faced the wrath of the Syiem of Hima Nongspung for filing an RTI seeking information about its functioning. His house in Sohiong was vandalised.
