By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 6: The state government has directed the district authorities to be firm in dealing with any disturbances in various road projects being undertaken in the state and ensure the safety and security of all the labourers.
The construction companies implementing the projects in the state and the NHIDCL have also been asked to ensure that the labour licences of the workers are obtained and are up to date.
“I made it very clear to the construction companies and NHIDCL to inform the district administration concerned in case of any issue, disturbance, or hindrance. We will make sure that such hindrances do not occur again because these projects are of public interest,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, also in charge of PWD (Roads) said on Wednesday.
“I have already instructed the district administrations to deal with disturbances firmly and ensure that nobody can touch the labourers,” he said.
At the same time, the contractors, construction companies, and NHIDCL have been asked to ensure each worker possesses valid labour licences that can be obtained from the Labour Department online.
“We have to strictly follow the (relevant) Act for the safety of the labourers. The government can then take action swiftly if some miscreants attack them,” Tynsong said.
He said the companies are informed about the provisions of the Act during the tender process. “Sometimes, the companies fail to obtain the licences due to oversight or negligence,” he added.
Apart from the indifference of the authorities, constant harassment and exploitation of contractors implementing central government projects by local youths and pressure groups have been factors in the slow progress of infrastructure projects in Meghalaya. Such problems are seldom faced in other Northeastern states, specifically Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.
Consequently, the projects in Meghalaya have been delayed and their costs have escalated.