Shillong, Oct 23: Executive Member in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Powell Sohkhlet today defended the delay in releasing the second installment of the Tied and Untied grant for 2021-2022, citing technical problems, including online auditing issues.
Sohkhlet stated that the Executive Committee (EC) is working to streamline the process, but cannot provide a specific timeline for the release of the funds.
Sohkhlet also mentioned that department officials are undergoing training to streamline the online process. Leader of the Opposition, Titosstarwell Chyne, was unsatisfied with the explanation and criticised the delay, stating it would make elected representatives appear dishonest in the eyes of the people.
The discussion turned heated, with Sohkhlet responding to Chyne’s criticism, saying, “Examine your own past – what did you do in your time [in power]?” He highlighted that during Chyne’s tenure as Chief Executive Member, the process was offline, unlike the current online system.
Chyne reminded the house that commitments had been made to villages, churches, and schools and prolonged inaction would damage the representatives’ credibility. He questioned why the current EC had failed to act, despite being in office for seven months, pointing out that the previous administration had released funds as recently as December 2024.
