Shillong, November 16: The conglomeration of NGO’s from Garo Hills, comprised of the the ADE,GSU, AYWO, FAF and FKJGP in the press statement issued released today to te media houses alleged that “It is with the belief that there has indeed been a scam of the Rs 100.71 Cores in the EC of the GHADC strengthened by the fact that the CEM of the GHADC, Mr Denang T. Sangma has bluntly refused to provide the simple matter of providing the DPR of the projects, to whom the contract works were awarded and how much of the money had been withdrawn from the bank and the GHADC treasury without any developmental works that we wish to publish an article for the information of the general public”.
The blunt refusal of the CEM of the GHADC has confirmed the rumours that 60 percent of the money has been withdrawn from the “One Time Special Assistance Centre Plan Scheme for 2015-16”. The GHADC Executive Committee is guilty and hence afraid to give any information regarding the utilization of the Central assisted fund. Transparency is a huge factor and in the 31st Oct’16 meeting with the CEM, Dy. CEM and the EM Civil Works, GHADC in the CEM’s chamber they agreed that after ten days all the necessary document will be provided to us to prove the transparency of the utilization of the fund. Today, on the 15th Nov’16 they refused to provide any form of clarification to the allegations.
The NGOs from Garo Hills claims that “It has been reported to us that many of the GHADC Ems have deposited the money in their personal bank accounts and those are said to be huge amounts. How is it correct that the money given to the GHADC for the development of Garo Hills is withdrawn from the GHADC treasury and kept in their personal bank accounts It has been an open secret though unofficial that money has been given to some contractors without starting any developmental works”.
The NGO’s in the press statement said that “ The GHADC will have to give to us in detail the name of the contractors who have withdrawn money through current accounts. The GHADC is afraid to provide details because it has withdrawn 60 percent of the money. The State government is keeping mum on the matter, is it a party to the fraudulent withdrawal of funds from the scheme. Does the state Government care about the infusion of such a fund to Garo Hills or does it consider it only a fund for scam or politics, if the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma care about Garo Hills let him check the scam in GHADC”.
“He must check the scam if he truly cares about Garo Hills. If the Hon’ble Chief Minister is unaware of the scam let him talk with us we will be ready to share our knowledge. But if the Chief Minister is involved and care naught about Garo Hills we will continue the fight how is that the Chief Secretary, Mr KS Kropha who heads the SLC simply approved the proposals submitted by the GHADC without confirmation, correct and full appraisal of the proposals. Wherewithal the expert opinions of the SLC, when it approves the proposal of the GHADC taxation office, Members Hostel, extension of Council shopping complexes at Tura Bazar and Hawakhana”.
The press statement also alleged that “ The CEM and the Dy. CEM, GHADC had the audacity to explain to us in the CEM’s chamber that a contractor who built the Tura Bazar Shopping Complex constructed under the 13th Finance Commission scheme which was inaugurated in 21 Nov’09 did it without taking a rupee from the GHADC in 2009 that too without any work order and that money is being paid to him from the “One Time Special Assistance Centre Plan Scheme for 2016-16” now, in 2016. We told them that it is highly illegal as fresh funds cannot be utilised in the manner explained and who will believe it because we certainly don’t”. The NGOs from Garo Hills alleged that there is clear proof scams in the GHADC form the Rs.100.71 cores.
The MP of Garo Hills has given a press release that anyone, meaning NGOs can put forth questions as allegations. Is he also involved in the fraudulent withdrawals of funds from the above mentioned scheme seeing as he is interested in defending the EC, GHADC without proper clarification on the matter. As the MP of Garo Hills, he has responsibilities beyond his commitments to the GHADC as National President of the ruling party in the GHADC.
The NGO’s from Garo Hills asked the MP that he should explain about the allegations question by the GSU, ADE, FAF, FKJGP and the AYWO to the above questions. Through press statement the NGOs want to inform the MP of Garo Hills that the CEM, Dy. CEM and the EM, Civil Works of the GHADC has agreed to give full information of the utilization of the scheme after ten days but it has been more than 15 days now but they have refused to give any information.
As a public figure who must be responsible for the development of Garo Hills he should have encouraged transparency in the GHADC. If the MP of Garo Hills is so convinced that there is no cause for questions in the GHADC he should have asked the GHADC to provide counter proof and also asked the GHADC EC to provide documents and material to the NGOs. Was the MP’s newspaper publicity a mere propaganda or a need to protect one’s interest? The Mp must explain the above points or keep his mouth shut unless he is involved in the scam.
The NGOs from Garo Hills said that “We the AYWO, GSU, ADE, FAF and FKJGP will keep on fighting against corruption. We will be filing an RTI and we are in an agitation mood and will declare agitations soon as the leaders of the NGOs meet and make a final decision”.
