The United Democratic Party (UDP) has yet to receive a response from the Election Commission against the alleged misuse of the FOCUS and FOCUS+ schemes by National People’s Party (NPP) ministers and MLAs.
The UDP, which is a senior ally of the NPP in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the alleged misuse of the twin farmer schemes by NPP ministers and legislators.
In a complaint sent to the Chief Election Commissioner recently, UDP vice-president Allantry F Dkhar informed that there are some MLAs and ministers associated with the NPP who are misusing the schemes “which is in direct contradiction towards the officially declared beneficiaries who are farmers of Meghalaya”.
Speaking to Highland Post today, UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said that the party is yet to get a response from the EC on the letter.
“I don’t have any issue if funds go to the farmers because this scheme was conceived for the farmers. But are there farmers in Nongthymmai, Malki, Mawprem, Jaiaw, (all urban constituencies), etc,” Mawthoh said. “Are you trying to throw money to buy votes from the people? And if you are saying that you are giving this as a grant and all and if the government has so much money, then what happened to the salaries of different categories of employees in the government? Why are their needs not being met?”
