By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 19: A day after VPP supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit called for an independent audit of MLA funds utilisation, the first reaction has come not from the government but opposition TMC President Charles Pyngrope who defended the prevailing system.
On Wednesday he said the scope for deviation was minimal since there was adequate checks and balances for ensuring that MLAs adhere to the rules and regulations laid down by the government.
He claimed that MLA schemes are scrutinised and audited on a regular basis. There are departmental rules which are applied uniformly to all legislators.
“Therefore, the question of opposition or ruling party MLAs does not arise. It applies to all 60 MLAs, regardless of their post or position in the executive or the legislature,” Pyngrope said.
He stressed that an MLA’s role is merely confined to identifying beneficiaries and the type of schemes they may propose, strictly within the guidelines laid down by the department.
“Therefore, the MLA is only the executor. No MLA can deviate from the rules,” said Pyngrope, who is the Nongthymmai MLA.
On the issue of auditing, he said the process applies to all legislators. “Auditing has to be done for all 60 legislators. If any person or MLA does not follow the rules laid down by the C&RD Department, then the scheme will not get approved,” he said.
Asked about Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s concerns regarding the implementation of the MLA schemes, particularly in Opposition-held constituencies, Pyngrope agreed that the concern was valid but emphasised that the system applies uniformly.
“That applies to all 60 MLAs. The amount of funds allocated to any MLA, whether in the opposition or on the ruling side, follows the same rules. Every MLA has to adhere to the rules and norms when allocating funds to beneficiaries,” Pyngrope said.
He added that checks and balances are embedded into the system from the very beginning.
“There has to be an audit; once a scheme is allocated and if it does not conform to the rules and norms of the department, the beneficiary will not avail of the funds. There is audit from day one. Nobody can say this scheme has been given to us and we will do whatever we want, Pyngrope asserted.
Recently, Basaiawmoit had urged the Chief Minister to order an independent inquiry into the utilisation of MLA funds.
In a letter, Basaiawmoit referred to Sangma’s recent expression of concern over the implementation of MLA schemes, particularly in constituencies held by opposition parties.
“I would like to appreciate your concern and apprehensions when you decide to question whether the MLA schemes have been properly utilised or not,” he wrote.
UDP MLAs’ stand
Former Cabinet Minister and Khliehriat MLA, Kyrmen Shylla, has expressed his support for any inquiry into the implementation of MLA schemes in his constituency.
Shylla observed that the funds associated with the MLA scheme are public assets, insisting that every rupee should benefit the people.
He acknowledged that delays in the scheme’s implementation can occur due to unforeseen challenges but reaffirmed that the initiative is fundamentally for the people, not the MLAs.
Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem also stated that MLAs are accountable to the public and welcomed any investigation related to his constituency’s projects, stressing the importance of transparency in delivering services.
