By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 23: Opposition MDCs in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Thursday expressed concern over the delay in release of the second instalment of tied and untied grants for 2021-22, as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour on Thursday, Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri sought a categorical reply from the Executive Committee (EC) on when the funds would be released and received by the Council.
She said the EC cannot continue to delay the matter, having been in office for seven months. “How much longer do we have to wait? This delay is affecting not just the EMs but all MDCs representing different constituencies,” Kharpuri said.
She also pointed out that work orders under the 2021-22 grants have already been completed, yet bills remain unpaid.
“People in the villages have even taken loans to complete these works, and now they are waiting for payment. Even when they eventually receive their bills, the amount may not cover the interest on the loans,” she added.
Echoing similar concerns, Opposition Leader Titosstarwell Chyne said the Council is still implementing schemes under the 15th Finance Commission, with few months left before the 16th Finance Commission recommendations come into effect.
Questioning why there was a problem in releasing the second instalment when there were no hiccups with the first, Chyne said, “If this delay continues, then our hopes to get the second instalment of funds will not be fulfilled.”
The opposition leader said the EC has already called for submission of proposals for the year 2022-23, and many MDCs have sought proposals from villages.
“Now people are expecting to get the benefit of the schemes. But how are they going to get it when even the funds for 2021-22 are yet to be received? You have made us appear as liars in the eyes of our village Dorbars and churches since we promised them that the schemes would be implemented,” he said.
The opposition further questioned why this problem has arisen now when no such issues occurred under the previous EC.
Taking strong exception to this remark, KHADC Executive Member in-charge of Development, Powell Sohkhlet said the present EC cannot be blamed for the mess.
“We have to carry the baggage of the previous EC as they failed to meet the criteria laid down by the Ministry. The previous EC continued to release funds manually when the criteria clearly stated that everything should be done online through the web portal,” he said, asserting that it is unfair to blame the current EC.
Sohkhlet said he will not be able to provide an exact timeline for when the Council will receive the second instalment of the grants, but added that efforts are being made to resolve the issue.
Sohkhlet explained that several mandatory conditions under the 15th Finance Commission must be fulfilled before funds can be released.
These include ensuring all Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) or villages proposing schemes are onboard the e-Gram Swaraj portal, uploading all schemes for 2021-22 on the portal, opening a provisional account for online payments, completing online auditing of accounts for 2020-21 and submitting the grant transfer certificate for the first instalment.
He said that the criteria of online auditing is a new concept, and even the AG’s Office has only recently undergone training.
“It is essential to meet these criteria before we can avail the second instalment from the Centre. We are making every effort to ensure all conditions are met,” Sohkhlet said.
