Meghalaya DCA releases Rs 45 crore package to Autonomous District Councils

SHILLONG:

The District Council Affairs (DCA) department on December 14 released an amount of ₹ 45 crore, which was sanctioned by the 15th Finance Commission under the special plan assistance to the Three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the State.

“We have released 50 per cent of the funds which were earmarked under the special assistance for this current year,” DCA Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said.

Out of the ₹ 45 crore, ₹ 20.47 crore have been sanctioned to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), ₹ 18.20 crore to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and ₹ 6.82 crore to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Rymbui informed.

“The funds which were released are meant for various developmental activities as per plans and estimates proposed by the three ADCs, adding that the funds released under the special plan assistance cannot be diverted for the payment of salaries,” Rymbui added.

When asked if the State Government would assist the ADCs for payment of the salaries, he said it is not the responsibility of the state to look after the salaries of the staff of the district councils.

“It is the responsibility of the respective district councils to generate funds for the payment of the salaries of the staff,” he said.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)

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