By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 8: The state government on Wednesday made it clear that it cannot do anything into the allegation of a blacklisted company — ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd — being awarded projects in the Garo Hills.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads), Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday said the work on National Highway 51 is being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through its agency, the National Highway Infrastructure Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
“The state government cannot do anything on this as our responsibility is only to hand over the land to NHIDCL,” Tynsong said, while adding that he was not aware if the implementing company was blacklisted or not.
He suggested that Meghalaya BJP vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard Marak should go to New Delhi to meet the Union Ministry for further details on the matter.
Marak had questioned the NPP-led MDA Government’s silence on ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd being awarded projects in Garo Hills, despite it being blacklisted.
He had claimed that NH-51 project work was originally awarded to one Manoranjan Company but since that company could not finish the work on time, the project was awarded to another company named Shubham which is being run by ARSS and their entire team is from ARSS, which is blacklisted in the state over irregularities in execution of package-II the Shillong-Dawki road project.