TMC MLA asks govt to check graft in Shillong airport work

SHILLONG, July 24: Trinamool Congress legislator George B Lyngdoh has asked the state government to ensure no authorities can indulge in any corrupt practices while they deal with any construction work at the Shillong airport at Umroi.
He made the statement in the backdrop of revelation that some officials of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) made extortion demands to the airport authority. The airport operates under the council’s jurisdiction.
Lyngdoh said intervention from the council is required but to charge companies and resort to corrupt practices are not acceptable. The state government should ensure that such corrupt practices are stopped, he insisted.
He said if the funds go to the coffer of the KHADC legally, then it is not a problem but the government must take measures to stop corrupt practices.
The extortion issue came up before the High Court of Meghalaya recently when it was revealed the KHADC charges arbitrary licence fees while certain officials make extortion demands.
During a hearing on a PIL, it was pointed out that there is considerable difficulty even in supplies being sought for the airport since the bidders are required to obtain a trade licence to be eligible to make a bid.
The Airports Authority of India said complaints were lodged with the state government but to no avail.
The United Khasi Jaintia Hills District (trading by non-tribals) regulation, 1954 states ‘trade’ means any trade or business for profit and includes exchange of goods or services for other goods or for money which shall include trade as barber, shoemaker or repairer, furniture maker, automobile maker or repairer including dealer in spare parts or tubes or tyres and including also any other similar vocations excluding however any service under the government, Union or State, and the term ‘trader’ and ‘trading’ shall be construed accordingly.
Sources said the definition of trade and thereby, trading by non-tribals regulation itself, excludes any service under the government, Union or State, from the purview of these regulations and hence, any work carried out by Union or state government shall be naturally exempted from the requirements of KHADC trading licence.
Meanwhile, the Umroi MLA lamented that the state government never takes the local stakeholders on board while discussing the problems of the Shillong airport.
He said he is the local MLA but has never been taken into confidence during discussions on issues about the airport. He said the government boasts of the high number of fliers from the airport but feigns ignorance over the grievances of passengers on the public transport system at the airport.