SHILLONG: The KSU of Lawbah Border Area Circle in South West Khasi Hills, has petitioned chief secretary K S Kropha,who is the chairman of Special Purpose Vehicle Committee (SPVC) and apprised him about the exclusion of locals in the implementation of SPV-funded development projects within the Society’s Project Area.
Alleging that schemes from the SPVC were made to achieve political advantage, KSU president, Truelywell Lyngdoh, told media persons on Thursday that there are heads of departments who have approached the village to assure them of schemes to the public through SPVC.
Asserting that SPVC was constituted to bring in infrastructural development in terms of agriculture, roads, health and general economy, he added, “Some of the schemes are currently diverted to road projects and the contract for the road projects were given to contractors who have links with politicians turning the task of the SPVC into a business platform.”
Lyngdoh stated that the SPVC should listen to the Local Project Implementation Committee (LPIC) and take into consideration their suggestions. In a memorandum to Kropha, the organisation alleged that the politically connected contractors from outside the project area were given preference with regards to the implementation of the Mawsynram-Ryngku project. Agitated with the PWD department, the KSU opposed and condemned the PWD’s decision to allot work to contractors from outside the project area for the construction and improvement of Balat-Shella Border road (31km-41km).
KSU alleged that there have been efforts to split the tender for the border road project into groups carrying a value too big for the capacity of local contractors. After a written application was submitted by the Headman of Nongtrai village (within which mining takes place) to the Minister in charge of PWD Roads, Martin Danggo, a separate group at value of Rs 26,30,000 has been created especially for the local contractors of Nongtrai village.
However, the organisation expressed shock as the PWD opened this group to contractors from outside the village and the project area. In this connection, the KSU alleged that the development is affected due to active political interference with ulterior motives of gaining political mileage. The KSU went on to add that as per the ruling of the Supreme Court, while ordering the creation of the SPV committee, it had described the aims of its order as indicative of the “benefits (which) will accrue to the natives and residents of Nongtrai village.”
The memorandum stated that preference should be given to local contractors and all necessary splitting, adjustment of the tender be made to facilitate them. “The Special Purpose Vehicle Society should maintain its independence,” Lyngdoh said. The organisation mentioned in the memorandum that heads of any government departments eyeing for elections should be removed from membership in any of the committee or board of the Society. KSU informed that the Chief Secretary will attend to the concerns of the village.