By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The General Administration Department (GAD) is contemplating renovation of the existing structures and surroundings of the now dilapidated Tara Ghar complex, once the Assembly Secretariat hands over the asset back to the Department.
Tara Ghar remained unattended for the last two years after a decision was made by the Government to construct the new Assembly at the site. However, the recent adoption of a resolution in the Assembly for empowering the High Powered committee (HPC) to select a new site for the construction of the Assembly building means that Tara Ghar would be handed over to the GAD.
“It would take some more time before the Assembly Secretariat hands over the Tara Ghar and we would definitely improve the existing structure,” a senior official said.
With the Government finding it difficult to provide accommodation to Ministers and MLAs due to shortage of Government bungalows, the senior official believed that Tara Ghar could be utilized for providing accommodation to the legislators.
Tara Ghar was the official residence of the Chief Ministers and JD Rymbai was the last Chief Minister to occupy the bungalow.
Ever since the 125-year-old structure that housed the State Legislative Assembly at Khyndai Lad was reduced to ashes 12 years ago in a towering inferno, the government has been unable to decide on the site for a new Assembly building due to political changes in the State.
Earlier, former Assembly Speaker Pyngrope’s HPC had rejected the decision of the previous HPC under the chairmanship of former Assembly Speaker Bindo M Lanong which in 2008 had finalized new Assembly building at Khyndai Lad where the old Assembly stood.
Lanong’s HPC had rejected the idea of Assembly at the Agriculture Research Station in Upper Shillong which had been selected in 2006 by the HPC chaired by former Speaker Martin M Danggo.