SHILLONG, May 26: The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) alleged the new office of ruling National People’s Party (NPP) here is being constructed by flouting government norms.
Talking to reporters on Thursday, MPYC vice president, Banphira Basaiawmoit said approval was not obtained from the Meghalaya Urban Development Agency (MUDA). The foundation of the office, being constructed near Polo grounds, was laid on September 1, 2020. The building is almost 70% complete.
Basaiawmoit said approval from the MUDA is one of the mandatory conditions for construction at any site within an urban area.
“It seems the authorities turned a blind eye to the massive construction going on in order to please the masters. But in the case of ordinary citizens, even if you expand the existing building without approval, the authorities are alert enough to serve you with a notice and penalty. This is construed to be a blatant misuse of power by the ruling dispensation,” the Youth Congress leader said.
He questioned as to how such a structure can be constructed without approval and why the MUDA has not issued notices. Further, he asked under whose instructions the MUDA has turned blind eye to the same.
“While the structure of the building will be ultra-strong considering this is the office of the masters and not for commoners like in the case of the Inter-State Bus Terminus or the state Legislative Assembly building, but we believe the due process of approvals and regulations should have been followed as per the rule of the land,” Basaiawmoit said.
He also said that the area, where the dome of under-construction Assembly building in New Shillong Township collapsed, has not been sealed yet and people were seen working there.
“As per the high-powered committee meeting held recently, the recommendation was to stop the work immediately and an enquiry to be initiated. The area would have to be sealed and tampering with evidence should not be allowed. The evidences are to be extracted and sealed in front of the media before sending it for laboratory test,” the Youth Congress leader said.
He demanded that for a fair probe, the engineer in-charge of the project should be suspended and the Minister in-charge of PWD (Buildings) should step down immediately taking moral responsibility as too many projects under his department are under the scanner.
“The sub-contract work allotted to Badri Rai Construction Limited could not have been more than 40% of the contract value, but it seems the tender clause has been ignored by the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited whereby 100% of work is being executed by the sub-contractor,” the MPYC claimed.
The Shillong Times tried to get Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma’s reaction on Thursday but he said he will speak on the matter on Friday.
