Shillong, Jan 12: NPP leader and its candidate from Pynursla constituency, Prestone Tynsong warned the people of Meghalaya to be careful in availing last-minute schemes launched by Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma.

One such scheme is the Empowerment of Women Scheme, which was launched way back in 2012.

He cited an example of beneficiaries who were asked by banks to repay the loan that was disbursed through this scheme.

Tynsong also accused Sangma of looting the people and the state by introducing “useless schemes” for farmers like agar and anthurium plantations.

“As Forest minister I have expressed my reservations about the viability of such schemes. I even visited the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun to meet scientists and discussed about agar plantation scheme. On the basis of their feedback, it has dissuaded the chief minister from going ahead with it because a similar plantation in Kerala did not yield any result. But Dr. Mukul Sangma had brought his own ‘scientists’ from Singapore and went ahead with the scheme, which involved a financial expenditure of around Rs. 70-80 crore,” Tynsong alleged.

According to Tynsong, the money could have been distributed to farmers who would have used their wisdom and experience to plant anything suitable for them.

He cited this as an example of Dr. Mukul Sangma’s modus operandi to make money. He urged the people of Meghalaya to put an end to this system of looting the people and to teach Mukul Sangma a lesson.

Rowell Lyngdoh who spoke in the meeting clarified that even though he’s been with the Congress for more than 30 years, he was kicked out from the Congress by the two doctors (Dr. Mukul and Dr. D.D. Lapang) because he fought for the development of the area and because they claimed that he’s too old.

He also said that he’s contesting again now because he has unfinished business. Even though the district South West Khasi Hills was formed under his leadership, yet there are many pending works to be done for the district. One small example, is the 100-bed hospital which was supposed to be built before the one in Ampati, but till date it couldn’t be completed, because the Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma who is the Finance Minister has blocked the fund to complete the hospital. Besides this many other projects initiated by him like the setting up of ITI, Teacher’s Training Institute, District Courts and other development projects haven’t even started, even though the government has acquired the required land.

He also mentioned that he had met Shri. Nitin Gadkari , Road and Transport Minister, GOI and apprised him about roads and connectivities of the area, because the Chief Minister never listens when he brings up these agendas, as his only interest is Ampati, and now they are in the process of preparing a DPR to build a dual road and bring the National Highway from Lad Mawreng (Mawreng Junction).