Tura MDC Bernard Marak has alleged that an amount of Rs 36.4 crore from centrally sponsored schemes to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) were diverted in the last financial year when the council was under Administrator’s Rule.
According to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, an amount of Rs 91 crore had been released to the state of Meghalaya under the 15th Finance Commission for rural bodies, of which an amount of Rs 36.4 crore was for the GHADC. This, he said, was diverted while the council was under lock and key due to the ongoing employees protests.
“I ask the CEM (Chief Executive Member), Benedict Marak, to inform the public on the status of the Rs 36.4 crore before taking any steps against the protesting employees. Stop targeting them and clarify on the money,” said Bernard through a press release.
He added that the National People’s Party (of which Benedict is a member) was the BJP’s ally but the funds sanctioned by the central government for the GHADC were diverted unlawfully.
“This is a serious matter and should be looked into immediately as the executive committee has refused to pay the salaries of the employees but the funds meant for GHADC are illegally diverted. Stop forcing the employees and instead make the people know the status of the money,” he asserted.
The BJP leader added that he was informed that the top officials of the GHADC worked from a makeshift office in a Shillong hotel and diverted the funds to other heads under the state and to cover up the manipulation they are trying to force the offices open with threats.
