Social activist Kingstone Marak has accused the Principal Secretary of the GHADC, Hewing A Sangma, of misappropriating Rs 10 lakh after Hewing apparently made donations of this amount to the Niksenggittim Baptist Church even while the council was in deep monetary crisis.
An amount of Rs 5 lakh from the above amount was withdrawn even when the election code of conduct was in force.
According to Kingstone, two payments of Rs 5 lakh each were made to the church, with the first paid on February 18, 2018 prior to the state Assembly election while another was paid in October 2019.
“These were made from the GHADC funds for the construction of a retaining wall. I would like to know if the money was given as a donation or a scheme from funds of the GHADC. However, there are no schemes that allow for the construction of churches or any religious places,” he stated while asking for an explanation.
If the money was given as a donation, Kingstone said that Hewing still needed to clarify whether any officer could sanction such schemes or projects by himself.
“He is not an elected representative of GHADC. It is also pertinent to note that successive Executive Councils by the NPP have not been able to clear the pending salaries but the Principal Secretary was able to donate such a huge amount for the construction of a retaining wall,” alleged Kingstone.
He further alleged that the entire construction was done without the consultation of church elders of Niksengittim and only between church representative Sunjinder Sangma and the Secretary.
The activist also condemned the EC and Secretary of the GHADC for terminating and suspending NGEA leaders.
“GHADC authorities should have awarded minor punishment to NGEA and not major punishment like suspension and termination. It is clear that the intention of the secretary and the EC led by NPP is to suppress the voice of the NGEA and its employees,” he felt.
The activist felt that instead of acting against the NGEA, the EC needed to terminate the services of the secretary as his service has continually been extended even after his retirement.
“Interestingly he has been issuing suspension and termination orders without following due process of law,” said Kingstone.
