Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has demanded the Meghalaya government institute an independent commission to probe into financial crisis and misappropriation of public funds in the state.
“We demand the institution of an independent commission to probe into the ongoing financial crisis as well as misappropriation of public funds in the state,” HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Council also suggest that the commission should also come up with recommendations to increase the revenue generation of the state.
Justifying the demand for an independent probe, the Council said that the big question arises that where all the revenue is collected by the state government in the name of different taxes, fees and cess.
“Is it because of wasteful expenditure to pay huge amount of salary to the chairmen, co-chairmen, vice chairmen, advisers, members of the different boards, commissions and committees? Is it because of the black bills (to the contractors without completing the works) or is it because so many funds have been spent on festivals?” he asked.
Kharjahrin said the financial crisis of the state may be also due to the state government inability to prevent revenue leakages at different levels and the failure to take action against such illegalities.
Stating that the state cannot always go with a begging bowl to Delhi, the HYC president said, “We should not wait for the Centre to pay salary to our teachers, construct roads, schools, hospitals and others.”
“It is a fact that the state has the right to demand its entitlement from the centre but it should also have its own reserved fund in case there is a delay on the part of the centre to release the state share,” he said.
“It is the need of the hour to strengthen the existing laws and the functioning of the Lokayukta besides the intervention of the Court into the matter,” he said, adding that the State need a strong and effective vigilance committee in the state.
