SHILLONG: Senior National People’s Party (NPP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Dr WR Kharlukhi has filed an FIR against a YouTuber for accusing him of corruption in implementation of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).
In his complaint lodged at the cyber-crime police station, Dr Kharlukhi addressed allegations made by a YouTuber identified as ‘RS Kharbani’ and vehemently denied all claims.
“I have filed a complaint against a YouTuber for accusing me of corruption in the implementation of my MP scheme,” he told the press, expressing deep concern over the damaging portrayal of MPs allegedly embezzling funds.
Explaining the process of MPLADS implementation, Dr Kharlukhi clarified that during the Covid-19 pandemic, funds were redirected towards pandemic relief efforts.
The scheme resumed in 2022-2023, where he recommended schemes to the nodal officer, who subsequently forwarded them to district and block development officers.
Funds were released in instalments upon submission of utilisation certificates by beneficiaries, he said.
“My 2023 scheme of Rs 5 crore is already finished, and the 2023-24 scheme has reached beneficiaries despite delays due to elections,” he noted.
Dr. Kharlukhi condemned social media’s role in spreading misinformation, calling it a “negative vulture that feeds on negative carcass”.
“I am transparent and have three bank accounts open to inspection and raids without prior information. If anybody has proof and if anybody comes and give it to the press that I have taken such and such amount, I myself will write to the government and ask for a CBI enquiry and I am ready to go to jail,” he added.
In addition to pursuing legal action against defamation attempts, Dr Kharlukhi warned of potential defamation cases against those attempting to tarnish his reputation.
