The continued suspicions that massive corruption resulted in an inflated expenditure during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic has led North Shillong candidate Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh to call for an inquiry to clear the air.
The issue has resurfaced as one of Pyrtuh’s rivals in the February 27 election will be Dr Aman War, who led the Directorate of Health Services during the pandemic. He claimed recently that his department could account for some Rs 248 crore used in the fight against Covid but he had no idea how or on what the state government spent a further Rs 500-plus crore.
“Covid was a time when everyone was suffering but, to my astonishment, there are few people who became filthy rich during the Covid pandemic and I believe, like the rest of the citizens, that there should be a thorough inquiry into the matter,” Pyrtuh told a few reporters yesterday.
Referring to the Lokayukta Act, he said that people who have evidence and proof through Right to Information (RTI) requests, etc can go to the Lokayukta as that body deals with corruption and maladministration complaints.
“When it comes to Covid funds, I really do not trust this government because we have found with our own eyes that many did not get the funds meant to assist the daily wagers and labourers during the lockdown,” he alleged, referring to promises of financial help promised by the state government.
Reminding that his organisation, Thma U Rangli-Juki filed an RTI where the government claimed that 1.60 lakh people received the financial assistance, he said that a “virtual audit” revealed that only 13 per cent had actually received the aid, that too only a partial amount.
“I will never accept the report on Covid provided by the MDA government and if the people choose me as their MLA I will also raise this expenditure made on Covid,” he said.
