BJP MDCs demand CBI inquiry into diversion of over 16 Cr SAG fund in JHADC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 5, 2020

SHILLONG: Opposition BJP members in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged illegal utilization of over ₹16.50 crore sanctioned by Centre under the special assistance grant (SAG) to the Council.

A petition on this regard was submitted to the Governor by four MDCs – Lakhon Biam (Nongbah), Krison Langstang (Sumer), J. Treilang Suchiang (Shangpung) and Dawan Lyngdoh (Mynsngat-Khanduli).

The petition has accused the Thombor Shiwot-led executive committee of diverting the SAG funds for payment of salaries in the Council.

This was despite the fact that one of the most important condition is that the SAG funds should not be diverted or utilized for any other purpose.

The SAG schemes are also time bound and subject to proper supervision and certification by means of a utilisation certificates. “The total amount diverted is ₹16.50 crore. This constitutes serious illegal violation of the guidelines,” the MDCs alleged.

They said the cash book statement of the Council showing diversion of the SAG funds by way of loan on 20th March 2019 for an amount of ₹6.50 crore only under the particulars:- “Paid to Secretary, EC ( Executive Committee) JHADC, being temporary loan for payment of salary of Officers and staff, JHADC for the month of January 2019 vide E.C. decision No 1 dt 19 03 2019″ and ₹10 crore under the Particulars:-  ” Paid to Secretary, Executive Committee, JHADC, being temporary loan for payment of salary of all the Members, Council employees, pension and family pension for the month of April and May 2019 vide letter No JHADC/FIN/ACCT-1/2009-10/35  dt 24 09 2019″.

“In view of these serious irregularities and/or illegalities, we are requesting you to order an inquiry which would be best entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the allegations above as well as to the implementation of the SAG schemes as a whole,” they demanded.

Stating that these illegal actions also delay the SAG schemes which are time bound, the MDCs said, there will be a long term effect from this which will also negatively impact new sanctions under future Special Assistance Grants from the Government Of India.

The opposition members also accused the executive committee of playing partisan politics by keeping members of District Council in the dark about the implementation and monitoring of the schemes.

“It is not known as to the status of the said SAG schemes. Since the four undersigned MDCs are in the opposition in the JHADC, the executive committee has not deemed it necessary to consult or involve us in the implementation of these schemes. We will not be able to verify whether the SAG schemes are being properly implemented to reach the target groups in our Constituencies,” they said.

According to them, the guidelines for implementation of the SAG schemes provide for approval of the schemes by competent authority.

During the financial year 2015-16 the Departments of PWD/ PHE etc Government of Meghalaya were the competent approving authorities.

The replies in the House provided by the Executive Committee JHADC show that for the financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19, this was discontinued and approval was done by the Chief Engineer, Addl Chief Engineer, Executive Engineer JHADC which violates the guidelines, they said.

It is also shown that the estimates for the SAG schemes are approved by the Executive Engineer JHADC and only countersigned by the Chief Engineer JHADC is the specimen of the approval and countersigning system adopted which are in violation of the prescribed guidelines, they added.