Shillong: Opposition members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council are demanding an explanation from the Executive Committee regarding a series of rejected development projects. During the Council’s Summer Session on Thursday, Mawshynrut MDC Srally Rashir argued that elected representatives are facing significant backlash from local villagers and Dorbar Shnongs because their submitted schemes have failed to move forward.
Rashir questioned why the Council leadership solicited project proposals from members if they lacked the ability to secure the necessary funding. Expressing the frustration of his constituents, Rashir stated, “Our people have been questioning us for over a year. We need to know on what basis the EC asked for these schemes.”
Executive Member in-charge of Development, Powell Sohklet, acknowledged the widespread criticism and explained that the rejections stemmed from technical failures in meeting central government mandates. According to Sohklet, all project proposals must be uploaded to the e-Gram Swaraj portal to receive approval. The Council initially struggled to adapt to the new digital system and failed to complete mandatory procedures, such as online payment requirements for previous grants.
The Council eventually resolved these issues with technical support from the District Council Affairs Department and the Ministry, completing the required online audit in January. While the state government issued a sanction letter for Rs 12.15 crore on May 5, the funds have not yet been transferred to the Council. Sohklet remains optimistic that the now-functional online system will allow the Council to successfully implement future development projects.
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