The Civil Society Women Organizations (CSWO) express concern over ‘misuse’ of fund

SHILLONG: The Civil Society Women Organizations (CSWO) has expressed its concerned at the extravagance of the Meghalya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for paying exorbitant legal fees to lawyers at the rate of Rs 2 lakhs and more for an appearance in the Meghalaya High Court. Citing that the corporation is a Government of Meghalaya undertaking unit and that should be bound by its Financial Rules, the CSWO reveals through its RTI findings that in between the years 2013-2014 to 2017-2018 the Corporation MTDC has paid an astronomical amount of Rs 19051443/- to lawyers appearing in cases for the MTDC. The CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing stated,“On further inquiry it was found that bills were drawn by the legal counsel of the MTDC even when the lawyer was not present in Court or when lawyer of MTDC seeks adjournment.”

“This is clearly cheating the public funds and misuse of power and action should be taken against those taking advantage of their position so that other government servants should know that public funds are not meant for misuse and cheating to benefit a few,” she added.