By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Opposition Leader Conrad K Sangma criticized the government for floating tender inviting private parties to invest in more than 90 plus power projects in the State without even bothering to carry out the feasibility survey of these projects.
“Without conducting the pre-feasibility survey how can the government invite private parties to invest in these projects,” Sangma said while moving a Motion of Amendment to the Governor’s Address.
“As per the inputs I received the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had conducted a feasibility study on these power projects,” Sangma said while pointing out that the survey could have been erroneous as it is hard to believe that so many projects have being identified in the State.
“All the rivers and streams in the State must have been identified as having the potential to generate power,” he said.
Sangma also stated that this is not the first time that the government has made a rash decision.
“Even in 2007, the Government had handed over a power project to a private developer,” Sangma recollected.
Raising the issue of the State’s current financial position which according to the government is healthy, the Opposition Leader was surprise that the government has not been able to enhance the minimum wages of the Traffic Home Guard personnel despite an assurance to increase their minimum daily wages to Rs 350.
Sangma also argued that the government has not been able to fill up the vacancies in the community and primary health centres across the State.