Senior Congress leader accused of bribery

Shillong, Feb 21 (UNI) The Uranium mining in Meghalaya is brewing up into a new controversy with a senior Congress leader Hispreaching Son Shylla being accused of accepting bribe from the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), an ally of the ruling Congress-led government, yesterday accused Mr Shylla, the chief executive member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), had accepted bribe to construct a road from Wahkaji to Mawthabah village in state's West Khasi Hills district.

Last April, the UCIL had decided to fund Rs 20 crore for the construction, which would facilitate the Kylleng-Pyndeng-Sohiong uranium project in the state.

Talking to reporters here, KHNAM general secretary Erwin Syiem Sutgna alleged that Mr Shylla had not credited the amount received from UCIL to the District Fund as required under Para seven of the Sixth Schedule but opened a joint account of KHADC and UCIL at UTI Bank.

Stating Mr Shylla's conduct as gross violation of the financial procedure, Mr Sutgna said such transaction is punishable under Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act 1988.

''It is a serious case and the states government should initiate inquiry against Mr Shylla,'' the KHNAM leader said, adding that his party would even take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Terming the allegations as 'baseless'', Mr Shylla, who advocates Uranium mining in the state, said the Standing Council of the KHADC would soon file a defamation case against Mr Sutnga.

''They (KHNAM) are trying to score brownie points, as the general elections are on the toe,'' the KHADC chief executive member told UNI here today.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president O L Nongtdu said the party would soon direct Mr Shylla to prove KHNAM's allegation against him.

UNI