Shillong, May 10: A public hearing that analysed the information and documents related to wages of muster roll workers under the Meghalaya sericulture and weaving department here today revealed rampant corruption and misuse of funds, amounting to lakhs of rupees.

The hearing was organised by sericulture muster roll workers along with Thma U Rangli-juki (TUR), a citizen's group, at Sankardev College, Laban, here to analyse information that they had obtained by using the RTI Act.

The workers analysed the papers in the presence of two independent observers, Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times, and Rev. Nathan Diengdoh, besides officers and representatives from the directorate of sericulture and weaving department and others.

The workers, spread across the state in different units like silkworm-rearing farms and weaving units in Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and Jaintia hills, had been laid off by the government since 2015. They were told that there were no funds for engaging them further.

However, the documents revealed that funds amounting to lakhs of rupees were withdrawn against their names (muster roll workers) for months and years when they did not work.

The workers said they were unaware that money had been withdrawn in their name.

The findings also indicated that payments were made out to ghost workers, including in the name of some of the schoolgoing children of the workers. The number of workers for these farms had also been inflated.

The RTI findings showed that from the sericulture department at Lawsohtun in East Khasi Hills, 15 ghost names appeared in the billing list of the muster roll workers and Rs 5.71 lakh had been misused during 2010-2015.

The findings also suggested "rampant and blatant corruption" in the department.

"An analysis in material procurement will most likely indicate an even larger scale of corruption, which is the main reason behind this sector and this department being in a shambles," a worker said.

The workers said the findings would be submitted to the state chief secretary, who is also the state vigilance commissioner, with a demand for an inquiry.

The workers are also demanding regularisation of their jobs and improved working conditions.

The leader of the citizens' group, Angela Rangad, said the information was sought using the RTI Act to understand the problems faced by the muster roll workers.

"The findings revealed rampant corruption and misuse of the workers' wages by the department. These skilled workers are the backbone of these farms but have instead become bonded labourers owing to the mismanagement of the department," she alleged.

She said the workers have been neglected in every way.

"Despite the crucial and skilful nature of work and contribution towards the existence of the sericulture department and the silk industry of Meghalaya, their services are not valued. No effort was made to regularise their services," Rangad said.

She slammed the government that boasts the rich silk products of the state, especially the traditional Khasi shawl, ryndia, made of silk, but forgot to take care of the people responsible for keeping the silk industry alive.

She added that the farm and the allied activities require regular labour inputs to ensure growth and survival, not by asking the labourers to work in fits and starts.