TURA, Jan 6: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla paid a visit to the recently inaugurated PA Sangma stadium and tore into the NPP-led MDA Government for giving the Centre’s contribution to the project the short shrift as well as inaugurating the stadium despite the structure remaining incomplete.
The project comes with a price tag of over Rs 127 crore with 90% of the funding coming from the Centre and the rest to be borne by the state. The stadium was funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The minister began his visit to Garo Hills with an inspection of the stadium in Tura.
“This project was funded by the Centre but was inaugurated by the chief minister and there is not even a mention in any part of the compound. The stadium has not even completed yet but they have already inaugurated it. This is a political gimmick. Since the Centre’s funds are involved, it should be mentioned as such,” Barla while told reporters.
He called the move of the state government an attempt to fool the public.
“We should be working together instead of going against each other. For the development of the state we are willing to work with the state but if you ignore the Centre’s contribution, there will be anger. The people will give you the answer in a few days,” he added.
He further pointed to the poor construction of the complex stating that he noticed quite a few beams already bent. “The quality of the project leaves a lot to be desired,” the minister observed.
Upon hearing of the fact that the government actually evicted 7-8 families that lived close to the stadium, Barla paid a visit to them and also appealed to the state to help those that were evicted.
“Development cannot come at such costs. They used the police and the administration to evict these families and this has affected them completely. They are now homeless. If you have taken their lands, they need to be resettled and compensated. They have bulldozed these houses and this has broken these families. I would request the government to come forward and help these people that have been affected. This is inhumane,” felt Barla.
The minister was joined by BJP state president Ernest Mawrie and Tura MDC Bernard Marak during the visit.
