By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 7: Voice of the People Party (VPP) MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang on Sunday dared his political opponents and critics to file an RTI application if they have any doubt on how the MLA schemes and the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP) have been implemented in his Mawlai constituency in the past two years.
Speaking at a function at Mawlai Nonglum that was organised to distribute work orders under the SRWP for the year 2024–2025, he said certain individuals had been repeatedly questioning his visibility and the status of MLA schemes in Mawlai, overlooking the fact that the funds for the previous financial year have already been disbursed.
“The amount of Rs 2.5 crore earmarked for a single financial year was released last year, and today, I have again distributed funds for 2024–2025,” Marbaniang said.
He said if anyone were to file an RTI application about the implementation of MLA schemes in the years preceding his tenure, they might discover discrepancies. “I leave it to the wisdom of the people to find out where the money went in previous years,” he remarked.
Referring to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s recent comments questioning the utilisation of MLA schemes by Opposition legislators, Marbaniang said the VPP welcomes any scrutiny.
“We accept the Chief Minister’s suggestion and propose the formation of a committee to examine how MLA schemes were implemented over the past many years,” he said.
He reiterated that he was not afraid of any RTI application being filed and asked people seeking information to visit his office.
“I have all the details from the past two years. I will continue to maintain transparency for the next three years. If even a single paisa meant for the people is misused, I will step down as MLA and not contest elections again,” the MLA declared.
He said a large portion of the schemes had been directed toward financial assistance for individual beneficiaries, particularly poor families. According to him, 800 beneficiaries received financial support this year.
These include 50 families receiving Rs 75,000 each for constructing housing units, 125 beneficiaries getting Rs 25,000 each for house renovation, and 700 small business owners, daily wage earners, and farmers receiving Rs 10,000 each.
Besides individual beneficiaries, work orders were also issued to sports clubs, schools, and local Dorbar Shnongs, Marbaniang said.
He highlighted the internal arrangement with Mawlai MDC Eddieson Kharumnuid. Under it, the MLA focuses on individual financial assistance, while schemes routed through the 15th Finance Commission via the MDC are directed toward locality development, educational institutions, and self-help groups. This, he said, ensures balanced distribution of resources.
Marbaniang reiterated the VPP’s commitment made ahead of the elections that the MLAs from the party would not take “a single paisa” from the MLA schemes.
He recalled that the party had instructed all its five MLAs to ensure transparent and proper utilisation of funds.
