| TURA: Two NGOs from North Garo Hills- the FKJGP from Dainadubi and the Kharkutta Circle of the Public Joint Action Committee (PJAC) along with the general public have condemned the alleged manipulation of coal auction by the district administration which reportedly took place on March 19.
According to the NGOs, a notification to auction of coal for a minimum amount of Rs 300000 was given by the district administration on March 15. The auction which was to take place on Monday was notified only on Thursday leaving only one working day (Friday) for bidders to complete the necessary formalities. Surprisingly, the lifting order for the auctioned coal was given to one, Ruthina Marak on Monday with the minimum bidding amount of Rs 300000 also scaled down to a mere Rs 160000, which was deposited in the government treasury. The reason for the reduced amount was given as ‘few bidders’. “We would like to know how on earth only one official working day was given to potential bidders when bank drafts and other formalities are needed to apply for the bid. And how can only Rs 160000 be deposited to the government treasury when the minimum bidding amount was Rs 300000 Where is the other Rs 140000 ?” the NGOs asked. The NGOs urged the newly-formed NPP-led MDA Government to initiate immediate inquiry into the scam so that all the culprits involved including government officials can be brought to book. “The people of North Garo Hills feel cheated and betrayed by such kind of government officials and the new MDA Government should take note of it. A thorough probe should be initiated so that such kind of officials can be removed otherwise, we will be compelled to knock on the doors of the High Court,” they warned. |
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