By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 26: Disappointed by the state government’s delay in holding talks on the ILP and the MRSSA despite assurances, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council on Friday sought an audience with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The appointment is sought to discuss the pending issues of the implementation of the ILP and the MRSS (Amendment) Bill of 2020 as was assured by the state government earlier.
“During our meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong a couple of months ago when we protested against the railway project, he told us that the government will soon call for a meeting with the stakeholders to update on the ILP and the Bill,” HYC president, Roy Kupar Synrem said on Friday.
He said the chief minister was also on record about holding a meeting. “We are demanding a meeting because months have passed since the announcement,” he added.
The HYC also asked the state government to assign the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme and other state-sponsored projects to the local contractors if the CM’s vision of making Meghalaya a $10 billion economy and increasing the per capita income of the state’s people has to become a reality.
“In March, the CM inaugurated certain projects in New Shillong Township and the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme worth Rs 1,600 crore is one of those fully sponsored by the state,” Synrem said after meeting PHE Minister, Marcuise N Marak.
“Our concern is that every time any department offers a contract, it is a big package where our local contractors are denied an opportunity to bid for,” he said, reminding the CM that increasing the per capita income would be difficult if Rs 1,500 crore out of Rs 1,600 crore is drained out via companies from outside.
“That is why we met the PHE Minister and requested him to allot some segments of the water supply project to the local contractors so that the per capita income of the state increases,” Synrem said.
“He has assured that some norms will be framed to allow local contractors to participate in the bidding process,” he said.
