MBDA intrudes into autonomy of GHADC

TURA, May 17: In a clear sign of violation of autonomy and independence of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) — a state government agency — has gone ahead with a proposal to appoint companies for Information Technology (IT) projects without taking into consideration the authority and knowledge of the district council.
The MBDA had issued an advertisement on its website as early as the start of this year and sought proposals from eligible entities for design, development and maintenance of Information Communications Technology (ICT)-enabled services for the Taxation department of GHADC.
The Taxation department in GHADC is the biggest revenue-generating sector in the Council.
The MBDA had moved for the project under the Sustainable Community Forestry Project Management, which is partly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The Agency had even placed a cut-off date of February 16 for the tender.
According to sources in the GHADC, the project has been given to an IT company from outside Meghalaya and work is already at an advanced stage.
Meanwhile, BJP MDC, Bernard Marak, has expressed astonishment and demanded answers of the government over its intrusion into the affairs of GHADC.
“Are they trying to sell off GHADC? Who made this decision and under whose direction?” asked Marak.