Shillong, Jan 20: Activist and adviser to Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations Mr. Cherian Momin has written to the mission director of State Rural Employment Society (SRES) seeking immediate direction to withhold release of MGNREGA material bills in Demdema C&RD Block during pendency of State level enquiry, including additional VECs listed.
In the letter sent to the Mission Director Mr. Cherian state that he has submit this representation in continuation of Order No. SRES/MEGH.186/2023-24/Pt-IV(S)/107 dated 24th November, 2025, whereby your esteemed office constituted a State-level Committee to enquire into allegations of misappropriation of MGNREGA (material) funds in 15 Village Employment Councils (VECs) under Demdema C&RD Block, West Garo Hills District.
The activist appreciation for the prompt and decisive action initiated by your office in the interest of transparency, accountability, and protection of public funds. However, it is with deep concern that I bring to your kind notice that steps are reportedly being taken at the Block level to process and release MGNREGA material bills, including bills pertaining to the said 15 VECs, despite the enquiry being pending.
Such action, if allowed to proceed, may seriously compromise the integrity and purpose of the State-level enquiry. Further, based on subsequent verification of records, representations, and field-level information, it has emerged that additional Village Employment Councils, as appended to this letter, are also prima facie associated with similar irregularities relating to job cards, material bills, and utilisation of MGNREGA funds.
These VECs warrant inclusion under the ongoing enquiry and must be treated at par with the originally identified 15 VECs. In view of the above, I most respectfully request your good office to kindly issue immediate and explicit directions to the concerned authorities, including the Block Development Officer and Programme Officer, Demdema C&RD Block, to, withhold the release and processing of all MGNREGA material bills pertaining to the 15 identified VECs as well as the additional VECs listed.
Maintain complete financial status quo until the State-level Committee completes its enquiry and submits its final report; and Ensure that no financial disbursement is made without prior approval of the competent authority based on the enquiry findings.
Allowing disbursement of funds during the pendency of the enquiry may result in irrecoverable loss to public exchequer and defeat the very purpose of the investigation ordered by your esteemed office. This representation is submitted in good faith, strictly in the public interest, and in support of your efforts to uphold transparency, accountability, and lawful implementation of MGNREGA.
On the same subject Mr. Cherian Momin has also sent the same letter to Dr. Rikrak Marak Block Development Officer Demdema C&RD Block West Garo Hills District Meghalaya request to Withhold Release of Material Bills in Respect of VECs Covered Under State-Level Enquiry, Including Additional VECs Listed Herewith, Under Demdema C&RD Block till the inquiry is completed.
