Shillong, Feb 28: Angry opposition members in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday accused the Chief Executive Member, P.N. Syiem of allotting schemes under the Centre’s special assistance grant through the PDF candidates who contested the Assembly polls.
Led by leader of opposition, Manstudy Nongrem, members made this charge against Syiem when they submitted a letter seeking clarification on the action of the executive committee on the matter.
When the CEM refused to discuss their grievances, the members including UDP MDCs Don Sumer, started arguing and bang the table of the CEM demanding that he should clarify the matter immediately.
Those who met the CEM also include Rona Khymdeit, Samlin Malngiang, Lamphrang Blah, Kimfa Marbaniang and Teiwell Dkhar.
Speaking to reporters, the opposition members alleged that the CEM had refused to clarify on the action taken by his EC to allot work orders for schemes sanctioned under the special assistance grant to PDF candidates.
“The EC had allotted work orders through the PDF candidates in constituencies mainly belonging to opposition members and that to without our knowledge,†he said.
denying the allegations, Syiem told said that the schemes as alleged by the opposition members was extra schemes that the executive committee is providing to different villages under its jurisdiction apart from share of Rs 3 crore given to each MDC.
“I am the CEM and it is mine and executive committee prerogative and wisdom to select villages under the Council’s jurisdiction for implementing these additional schemes. To say that we have issued work orders for the same to PDF candidates is wrong,†he said.
While informing that he would give an official written reply to the opposition members soon, he said when I told them this they instead reacted rudely.
Meanwhile, the four-day session of the KHADC was also adjourned till March 20, after majority of the members refused to attend due to the ongoing Assembly elections.