By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Cabinet decision to reinstate retired Chief Engineer of the State Sports Council, R Kharmalki, has come in for a lot of flak.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s statement that Kharmalki will ‘hold the fort’ until another technically competent person is found from the Public Works Department (PWD) holds no water.
Sources in the Sports department claim that the State Sport Council already has an Executive Engineer, R Pakyntein, who has served the Council for nearly 10 years and is capable enough to take over as the new Chief Engineer of the Council.
The sources also stated that the Government’s alibi of looking for a competent replacement for Kharmalki is an eye-wash which could be a face-saving strategy for Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Sports, BM Lanong, and an attempt to strike a political balance.
Other sources in the department have advanced the logic that all this might be connected to the Rs 4.95-crore project for floodlighting the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
It is learnt that a local contractor, Caroline Pala, who is close to the Congress might be awarded the contract as she has quoted the lowest price during the bidding process.
This leaves out many interested bidders some of whom are alleged to be close to the Sports Minister.
Department sources also claim that Kharmalki has done enough damage to the State Sports Council and that his manner of working is marked by opacity and arbitrariness.