SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has announced plans to appeal a recent Meghalaya High Court order directing the reinstatement of Paiem Ainam Manik Syiem as the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, even as an inquiry into financial irregularities exceeding ₹3 crore continues.
Executive Member (EM) in charge of Elaka, Denzil Raynard Chen, confirmed that the KHADC will file its appeal before the Meghalaya High Court on August 14.
The Council, he said, had delayed action until the Chief Executive Member (CEM) returned and detailed discussions could be held on the court’s directives.
Chen clarified that the appeal is being filed because the directive came from a Single Bench of the High Court.
He added that the judgment contains several crucial findings that the Council believes must be challenged, particularly the observation that KHADC bypassed provisions of the 2007 Act.
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Regarding Paiem Ainam Manik Syiem’s suspension, Chen explained that the Council acted only after issuing multiple notifications, demand notices, and reminders, all seeking clarification during official hearings. The proceedings centered on alleged violations of regulatory norms, notably the non-remittance of the mandatory 1/8th revenue share.
Although Ainam responded to a Show Cause Notice and promised to clear outstanding dues by March, he failed to do so. This, Chen stated, left the Council no choice but to suspend him temporarily to ensure an impartial inquiry.
Chen also refuted Ainam’s claims in the media that the 1/8th revenue share was merely a resolution, not a binding requirement. He emphasized that the provision is legally binding and is incorporated into the Sanad that Ainam signed, making any unilateral reduction of payment to 10% legally invalid.
Meanwhile, the financial inquiry into the administration of Hima Mylliem has uncovered significant unaccounted sums across multiple revenue streams, according to the official Financial Report for 2025–2026.
The report—signed by Acting Syiem Alban Fedrick Syiem, Basan Nathaniel Thangkhiew, and Myntri Kedresingh Kharpran—reveals several major discrepancies:
Market Tolls: Expected earnings were ₹1,13,08,520, but only ₹97,42,560 was recorded, resulting in a shortage of ₹15,65,960.
Land Revenue: Collections totaled ₹52,19,800, yet only ₹26,09,923 appears in the ledger.
Expenditures: Payments of ₹34,65,037 for development projects and ₹79,39,300 for market sanitation lacked any supporting documentation.
The report also highlighted issues in market leasing practices.
Direct allotments to the Myntri in 2025–2026 generated only ₹1,25,00,000, whereas a public floating tender in 2026–2027 raised ₹2,73,00,000, suggesting a revenue loss of ₹1,48,00,000 in the previous period.
In total, unverified expenditures and undocumented discrepancies amount to ₹3,03,80,220.
The full financial report has been submitted to District Council authorities and the Under Secretary for thorough investigation and possible legal action.
(4FrontMedia news)
