Serious allegations of financial irregularities and procedural violations have surfaced over the implementation of a project funded under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF) for the construction of a Central Hall and Socio-Literary Bodo Cultural Complex at Tikrikilla in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district.
The project had received a grant of Rs 25 lakh, sanctioned by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on the recommendation of the local MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Limi D. Sangma, in favour of the Meghalaya state unit of the Boro Sahitya Sabha.
A construction committee comprising seven Gaoburahs representing the Boro community was formed in a general public meeting, with the arrangement reportedly approved by the president of the Sahitya Sabha.
However, controversy erupted after allegations that Lalit Daimary, secretary of the Boro Sahitya Sabha (Meghalaya unit), unilaterally withdrew Rs 12.50 lakh — 50 per cent of the sanctioned amount — from the Tikrikilla C&RD Block BDO’s account and deposited it into his personal bank account.
It has further been alleged that only Rs 12.25 lakh was actually deposited, with Rs 25,000 unaccounted for. Questions have also been raised over the role of the then Block Development Officer (BDO) in permitting the transaction.
The construction committee reportedly submitted a representation to the BDO seeking transfer of the funds to its official account, but no action was taken.
The dispute that followed between the construction committee and the parent body of the Sahitya Sabha remained unresolved, prompting the then BDO to convene a meeting and decide that the construction of the complex would be carried out directly by the Block Office, and not by either the Sahitya Sabha or the construction committee.
Despite this decision, Lalit Daimary allegedly went ahead and independently organised a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the project, without informing the BDO, Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), local police, or the Boro public.
The programme was described as unofficial and unauthorised. Although the event was scheduled with the local MLA and Deputy Speaker as chief guest, he did not attend.
The foundation stone was instead laid by Sunita Daimary, president of the Boro Sahitya Sabha, an act termed “unwanted and unacceptable” by the construction committee.
The BDO later reached the site and stopped the function, subsequently issuing an order directing both Lalit Daimary and Sunita Daimary to refund and deposit the withdrawn amount of Rs 12.50 lakh into the BDO’s official account.
Describing the episode as “totally irregular” and “unfortunate,” the construction committee and members of the public have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, followed by appropriate legal and administrative action against those found responsible.
The statement was issued by Narapati Boro, secretary of the Construction Committee, who said the controversy has caused serious embarrassment to the Boro community in Meghalaya and called for transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds.
