SHILLONG, May 24: Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma on Tuesday pitched for an independent quality monitoring agency to be put in place to monitor all projects implemented by the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government.
Sangma said he had reasons to believe that there is urgent necessity for measures to be taken to ensure a mechanism wherein an independent agency can monitor all the ongoing work since a doubt has been created in the public mind about whether there has been a compromise in quality and the implementation thereof, thereby causing loss to the state exchequer.
He stressed that it is necessary for everyone to ask the government for an independent quality monitoring agency which will be appointed based on a transparent mode of awarding such responsibility which includes following of Central Vigilance Committee (CVC) guidelines.
Stating that there are a number of mechanisms put in place to check irregularities, he recalled the exhaustive exercise of legislation put in by the previous government to come up with the Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act in 2017. “Are we utilising the mandate of this law, the first of its kind passed by any state across the nation,” he questioned.
Sangma, who is a part of the high-powered committee that met on Tuesday, said, “An independent technical body will verify the cause behind the dome’s collapse based on which further action will follow as per the law.”
He also recalled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2018 had sought files from Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd pertaining to the work of remodeling and facelift of the ESI Model Hospital at Rajaji Nagar which is carrying out the construction of the Assembly building.
He said that if one looks at the construction of various highways or social media narratives one will understand what is happening. “There is an urgent need to address this concern with seriousness to ensure that all works being implemented are free from manipulation in respect of quality and technical specifications,” he added.
He also stated that instances like alleged misuse of funds released to Garo Hills Autonomous District Council or the substandard construction of the school building at Rongjeng by a family member of the ruling dispensation have shaken the trust the public had on the government.
Sangma also accused the ruling dispensation of trying to cripple institutions created through legislation to check irregularities and corruption in the state.
Reacting to the ISBT problem, Sangma said if any instance of alleged irregularity is brought to the notice of the government it is binding on the government to take cognizance of such inputs and act thereon.
