Overview
- VPP president Ardent M. Basaiawmoit has formally sought an independent inquiry into MLA scheme implementation from 2008, beginning in Nongkrem, and said his party has directed its MLAs to ensure transparency.
- He framed the request around Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s recent doubts about proper use of MLA schemes and the CM’s suggestion that citizens file RTIs to check utilisation.
- The Chief Minister’s Office acknowledged receipt of Basaiawmoit’s November 15 letter, and the government has not announced forming the proposed inquiry.
- The schemes involve sizable public allocations, and an earlier CAG report flagged accountability gaps, including over Rs 10 crore in discretionary grants without submitted utilisation certificates.
- Reactions include TMC president Charles Pyngrope defending existing checks and audits, while UDP MLAs Kyrmen Shylla and Mayralborn Syiem said they would welcome any investigation in their constituencies.