Meghalaya :enquiry ordered against DC office in Ri Bhoi over Umroi airport land deal

In what may seem as a step against the office of the DC in Ri Bhoi  The Public Accounts committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Tuesday has set up an internal enquiry committee to be headed by Meghalaya Chief Secretary, to enquire into the matter pertaining to land compensation worth crore of rupees to undeserved land owners.

According to Chairman of the Public Accounts committee Paul Lyngdoh, PAC on Tuesday found out that the office of the Ri Bhoi deputy commissioner had paid the compensation to undeserved people who claimed to be land owners, for the extension of the Shillong Airport at Umroi.

Meghalaya's capital Shillong lags behind states like Nagaland,Assam,Tripura and Manipur in air connectivity despite having an airport set up decades ago largely due to the short airstrip which makes it impossible for larger airlines to land in the airport.

Currently only Indian Airlines ATR planes operate between Kolkata and Shillong five times a week .

Lyngdoh said that Chief Secretary K.S Kropha, has assured the PAC that he will lead the enquiry committee and to investigate into the matter thoroughly to find out the erring officers involved in paying the compensation without conducting any proper verification and also for derailment of duty while assuring to submit the report to the PAC very soon.

It maybe mentioned that DC of Ri Bhoi Pooja Pandey did not appear infant of the PAC committee as she is away on medical leave.

The Chairman of PAC said that criminal proceedings will be initiated against erring officers stating that such absent-minded acts is a big loss to the state exchequer.