‘Blacklist contractor if found guilty after probe’

SHILLONG, May 17: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Kyrmen Shylla on Tuesday said if a contractor is found to have not done his job properly, he should be blacklisted by the government
The statement comes close on the heels of some infrastructure projects, including the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong, developing damage following rainfall for a few days.
Earlier, Shylla had stated that even the best infrastructure in the world gets damaged during calamities.
Stating that he cannot blame anyone over the cracked walls and the leaked ceilings at the ISBT, he said the contractor should be blacklisted if found guilty during inquiry.
At the same time, however, he said many government and private infrastructure in the state got damaged due to the rains.
Three persons died in rain and landslide-related incidents in the state till May 16 and Shylla assured compensation to their families. East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi are the worst-affected districts.
The Minister said if the funds received under the 15th Finance Commission are not enough, the state government will seek assistance from the Centre to tackle the situation. He also said that talks are on for the setting up of a base of the National Disaster Response Force in Shillong.
Contractor abandons road project, Saleng irked
Irked after a contractor abandoned work on the Anchengre to Purakhasia PMGSY road, National Congress Party (NCP) state president, Saleng Sangma, has asserted that the contractor who leaves work halfway through should be blacklisted no matter which political party they are affiliated to.
“This kind of contractors should be blacklisted and the details should be shared with other departments and even other districts,” he said, while urging people to come forward and register complaints if they come across such violations.