SHILLONG, Aug 27: Misappropriation of funds for construction of the Wahkaji-Mawthabh road now appears to be true as the road now lies in jeopardy even after Rs 20 crore was given by the Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) three years ago.
The 20-kilometre road that connects Wahkaji with seven villages including Mawthabah was funded by the UCIL during the reign of Hispreaching Son Shylla as the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in 2006 and was estimated that the road would be completed within a year. However, till today there is no sign of completion.
Interestingly, as per the 2007-2008 UCIL annual report, the UCIL received funds from the Centre as grant-in-aid towards infrastructure development to facilitate implementation of the Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Mining and Milling Project, Mawthabah. Out of the total received amount of Rs 20 crore, Rs 9,26,39,049 was spent till March 31, 2008.
The amount sanctioned was meant for digging, black-topping, construction of culverts and bridges. But, none of the requirements for a road was completed till date. Contractors said, “The work is now pending as contractors’ bills up to 60 per cent were not cleared by the KHADC.”
Earlier in 2007, the CBI had also investigated the misappropriation of funds for construction of the roads. Cleophas B Syiem, the district council chief, had charged Shylla for not crediting the amount given by UCIL for Wahkaji-Mawthabah road construction in the KHADC funds.
However, Shylla came out with the allegation when the CBI inquiry revealed that after signing of the MoU, UCIL had deposited Rs 5 crore in the joint account of UCIL and KHADC with UTI Bank, and that fund were meant to be released/withdrawn from the bank only when bills were to be paid to the contractors. THE SENTINEL
The 20-kilometre road that connects Wahkaji with seven villages including Mawthabah was funded by the UCIL during the reign of Hispreaching Son Shylla as the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in 2006 and was estimated that the road would be completed within a year. However, till today there is no sign of completion.
Interestingly, as per the 2007-2008 UCIL annual report, the UCIL received funds from the Centre as grant-in-aid towards infrastructure development to facilitate implementation of the Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Mining and Milling Project, Mawthabah. Out of the total received amount of Rs 20 crore, Rs 9,26,39,049 was spent till March 31, 2008.
The amount sanctioned was meant for digging, black-topping, construction of culverts and bridges. But, none of the requirements for a road was completed till date. Contractors said, “The work is now pending as contractors’ bills up to 60 per cent were not cleared by the KHADC.”
Earlier in 2007, the CBI had also investigated the misappropriation of funds for construction of the roads. Cleophas B Syiem, the district council chief, had charged Shylla for not crediting the amount given by UCIL for Wahkaji-Mawthabah road construction in the KHADC funds.
However, Shylla came out with the allegation when the CBI inquiry revealed that after signing of the MoU, UCIL had deposited Rs 5 crore in the joint account of UCIL and KHADC with UTI Bank, and that fund were meant to be released/withdrawn from the bank only when bills were to be paid to the contractors. THE SENTINEL
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