SHILLONG : Tura MDC and BJP leader Bernard N. Marak has alleged that the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) is facing a deepening financial crisis due to the alleged mishandling of Central funds and failure to comply with funding guidelines.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Marak claimed that more than ₹200 crore in Central assistance meant for GHADC has been withheld after utilisation certificates for several projects were not submitted.
According to him, funds released under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were not implemented in the manner originally envisaged under the Tripartite Agreement.
Instead, he alleged that the projects were handed over to contractors linked to ruling parties. Marak claimed that many of these projects were either left incomplete or failed to generate the required documentation needed for the release of subsequent Central funds.
“The council is now paying the price for those failures,” he alleged, warning that the financial implications could affect future development programmes under GHADC.
The BJP leader also raised questions over the engagement of a consultant to deal with GST-related matters. He further accused that the consultant was appointed despite lacking the necessary qualifications and claimed that the arrangement cost the council around ₹8 crore along with a monthly honorarium of ₹2 lakh.
Read Also : Bernard Marak questions bail granted to Esmatur Mominin and Sofior Rehman
Marak said that several contractors have since received GST notices and penalties, while traditional local bodies that were expected to benefit from the schemes saw little tangible benefit from the funds.
He also questioned the status of projects sanctioned under a special package during 2015-16, claiming that some works remain incomplete while others have allegedly disappeared from project sites altogether.
The allegations come amid continuing concerns over the financial condition of GHADC and its ability to implement development projects across the region.
If the claims are substantiated, they could raise broader questions about project execution, financial accountability and the utilisation of Central funds within the autonomous district council.
GHADC authorities had not issued a response to Marak’s allegations at the time of reporting.