Shillong, Jan 24: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Mihngi Circle, has served a 15-day ultimatum to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of the Pynursla C&RD block to immediately release the relief sanctioned for two families affected by natural calamity in 2019.

Addressing media persons on Monday, HYC president Edmund Khongngai said relief of Rs. 1 lakh was sanctioned for Barihun Tynsong and Rs. 5,200 for Monlang Khongwir after their houses were damaged by cyclone.

“Unfortunately even after three years have lapsed, the BDO is yet to release the relief sanctioned for the two victims. Therefore, we have decided to serve a 15-day deadline to the BDO concerned to take necessary action on this matter,” he said.

Khongngai also warned, “Failing to comply will only compel the organization to take stern action to ensure justice is delivered to the affected families.”

When asked, the HYC leader said that the organization will also file a complaint with the authority concerned as per the Meghalaya Rights to Public Services Act (MRPSA), 2020, which seeks to provide for time bound delivery of the services to the citizens in the state of Meghalaya including liability of the government servant in case of default to deliver service to citizens.

Government servants are liable to pay penalty and compensation of Rs 5,000 up to Rs 20,000 if they fail to provide time bound services to the citizens, according to the act.

He said due to such delay, Barikmen, who is also a mother of nine children, had to shift with her relatives as she could not afford to rebuild her house.

“Both Barikmen and Monlang were asked to update their respective passbooks almost every week with the assurance that the money will be credited to their accounts,” Khongngai said.

Monlang said that the amount spent on travelling has crossed the amount sanctioned as relief. “We are told to update our passbooks every week but till now no money was credit into our account,” she said.

The HYC leader also informed that in fact the work order issued to Barikmen was also signed by the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is local MLA of Pynursla.

“We condemn the MLA for not helping the affected poor families and the BDO for trampling upon their rights,” he said.