8 BJP MDCs extend support to GHADC executive committee

SHILLONG: Altogether eight BJP MDCs have extended support to the NPP-led Executive Committee (EC) under Dipul Marak in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
In a letter addressed to the GHADC chairman and chief executive member, the MDCs said that they extend their ‘provisional’ support to the EC led by Marak due to the NPP-BJP alliance at the Centre, NEDA and state levels.
The MDCs are Jimbert Goera Marak, Ismail Marak, Metrinson Momin, Levaston Sangma, Righteous Sangma, Boston Marak, Nipendra Koch and Bhupen Hajong.
BJP leader Bernard Marak said the support is for all round development of Garo Hills.
He said the party expects an unbiased stand from NPP in matters related to centrally sponsored schemes.
Reason for no-confidence
He said the BJP moved a no-confidence motion against the NPP- led EC for the misuse of centrally sponsored funds sanctioned to the GHADC.
There is a concern among the contractors over non-payment of 40 per cent of pending bills even after completion of works. Some projects have not been completed even after payment up to 60 per cent.
While some projects, against which money has been fully drawn, do not even exist, status of some of these projects came into light through an RTI, he said.
Another reason which compelled the BJP to go for the no-confidence motion was the violation of NITI Aayog norms.
Bernard said the EC diverted some amount meant for development to salary.
“Unfortunately, salary of the GHADC employees is pending for 24 months. GHADC needed a change and the BJP-led EC would have sorted out various issues but one BJP MDC sided with the NPP and BJP lost the floor test”, Bernard said.
According to Marak, the BJP expects equal distribution of fund to all MDCs irrespective of party differences because more than the members, it is the voters who suffer and are deprived.
“Tura is one such area where the MDCs never got any scheme and people are deprived in spite of it being the chief minister’s constituency. Therefore, all funds should be equally distributed constituency-wise so that people get all benefits”, he said.
On assurance of equal distribution and proper utilisation of fund, Hajong withdrew his FIR in the greater interest of GHADC.