Incumbent North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum, has filed an FIR with police over the alleged misappropriation of funds meant to combat Covid-19.
On January 30, Right to Information (RTI) activist Disparsing Rani claimed that the state government had received Rs 119 crore as central grants-in-aid through the National Health Mission for Covid activities. He referred to an earlier statement in the Assembly by Health Minister James PK Sangma, where the government was said to have received Rs 76 crore from the Centre for Covid purposes. This leaves a difference of Rs 43 crore, which Rani said was unaccounted for.
The next day, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong denied this, saying that the funds were not released in one block by the central government and that Sangma’s reference to Rs 76 crore was probably done before the remaining Rs 43 crore was released. He maintained that there can be no room for misuse of any funds since the Comptroller and Auditor General inspects all records.
Nongrum, who had asked the initial question in the Assembly, said today that he has filed the police complaint as a responsible citizen.
“My question now is where the Rs 43 crore has gone?” Nongrum, who is seeking reelection at the upcoming February 27 Assembly election, asked. “I can directly say that the executive and the legislature have failed miserably. I still believe in the judiciary and I have lodged the FIR because I believe that the police department will do its duty at the earliest.”
