An activist today alleged that former MLA of Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang, has continued to authorise payments under the Special Rural Works Programme (SWRP) scheme even after he stopped being a legislator.
Thongni addressed reporters here today, claiming that data provided under a Right to Information (RTI) request confirmed this.
The amounts are not insignificant – Shangpliang is meant to have authorised the treasurer of the All Mawsynram Development Council, Shanborlang Kharbani, to withdraw an amount of Rs 1.25 crore sanctioned under the SRWP 2022-23. The funds were for the renovation of houses for 500 beneficiaries who were to get Rs 10,000 each, purchase of cooking utensils, plastic chairs, etc for 200 beneficiaries and helping 500 budding entrepreneurs set up their businesses.
This was nearly a year and a half after Shangpliang lost the election and his Mawsynram constituency seat, Thongni added.
Not only is Shangpliang not entitled to make the authorisation after losing the election, he added, but the utilised amount should have been considered as lapsed and refunded since the work order had been issued but the actual work had not yet begun.
“We want the concerned department to institute an immediate inquiry into this matter and to direct the refund to the amount utilised,” Thongni said. “How can a former MLA give authority to withdraw the amount after more than a year, when according to the rules a former MLA cannot give such authority even after a month of losing?”
