The Leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma, on Tuesday has sent a letter to Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik demanding the imposition of administrator’s rule in GHADC.

Dr Sangma has sought an inquiry by an independent body into the alleged financial mismanagement and alleged corruption in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

In a letter to Malik, the former chief minister pointed out the serious allegation of rampant corruption that has taken place in the Autonomous District Councils particularly in the GHADC.

“There has been also earlier media reports, based on information made available by RTI activists of alleged corruption in GHADC. The allegations are serious in nature and revolves around alleged misappropriation and siphoning-off of crores of rupees from the developmental fund provided to the GHADC for the development of backward tribal areas and for the welfare of our poor tribal residents,” the leader of opposition said in his letter.

“It is also irony that the fund released to the ADCs were based on our continuous and productive engagement with the concerned ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, for providing special allocation of fund to the ADCs for development and welfare of the people in backward tribal areas in view of the fact that the 14th Finance Commission recommendations did not cover ADCs for receiving of grant/award under the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commissions unlike for the Panchayati Raj institutions,” Sangma said.

The former chief minister said the financial mismanagement and alleged corruption in GHADC have also brought untold sufferings to the employees of the council due to non-payment of salaries for the last two years crippling the functioning of the ADC thus defeating the very purpose of its existence.

“I have also reason to believe that the allegations have enough substance and express my apprehension, based on the inputs received, that a concerted effort is being put for destruction of evidence of the alleged corruption by the people in authority which must be prevented immediately in the interest of the people of the State.

“I, therefore, urge your honour that the provision of Para 16 (2) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India be invoked,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition demanded that an independent inquiry be instituted as per law in the best interest of the people and the State.

“It is further reiterated that delay in action shall facilitate the people involved in the alleged corruption to get off scot-free; embolden corrupt people and thus perpetuate corruption,” he added.

The Meghalaya BJP has also iterated its demand for a CBI inquiry into the alleged rampant corruption in the GHADC and JHADC stating that 50 per cent of all projects undertaken by the GHADC are only on papers, and an Executive Member of the JHADC has accepted that a whopping Rs. 20 crore was diverted for paying salaries.

Earlier, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie had stated that if the state government fails to stop corruption in the two district councils, the party was ready to withdraw support from the MDA government.