West Shillong MLA accused of buying materials worth Rs 74 lakh from government employee
SHILLONG: Friends-turned-foes of West Shillong legislator Paul Lyngdoh have fired a fresh salvo at the MLA alleging that he has purchased materials worth Rs 74 lakh from an enterprise belonging to a government employee which is illegal.
Speaking to media persons here on Monday, Michael Pakyntein said findings of an RTI filed with Shillong Municipal Board revealed that materials worth Rs 74 lakh were purchased from one Syiem’s Enterprise under the Special Urban Works Programme (SUWP).
According to Pakyntein, the owner of Syiem’s Enterprise, Danny Olson Syiem, is an LDA in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
Backing Pakyntein’s claim, Rishan Nongsiej alleged that as per information from the Sales Tax Office, the registration for Syiem’s Enterprise has not been renewed since 2012.
“We will soon lodge a complaint with the deputy commissioner and the DIPR director for necessary action against Syiem. We have decided to file an FIR on the matter and if required we shall consult legal experts,” Nongsiej said.
Nongsiej further informed that a delegation would soon meet the chief secretary, who heads the State Vigilance Commission, to speed up the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of public funds by Lyngdoh.
When asked about Lyngdoh’s accusations that Pakyntein was a known criminal, he said the MLA was attacking the complainant’s history instead of clarifying on the matter.
Pakyntein, meanwhile, refused to comment on the allegation citing that his case was sub judice.
Earlier, an FIR was filed with the chief secretary, who is the Chief Vigilance Commissioner on March 22 by the anti-Lyngdoh group based on an RTI reply which revealed that the MLA had allegedly misused public fund to the tune of Rs 55.80 lakh.
Later on March 24, Lyngdoh filed a counter FIR against the RTI applicants.