By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: The Opposition VPP has slammed the NPP-led MDA Government over the massive amount of loans being taken from different sources including the Government of India, putting the state in a debt trap.
The VPP also castigated the MDA Government for seeking loans and splurging money on consultancy services in Meghalaya.
Initiating the discussion on the Budget address, VPP chief and Nongkrem MLA, Ardent Basaiawmoit said the party is not against the borrowing and spending by the state government but the party’s primary concern is the state’s total dependence on the Centre for funds and loans.
Talking about liabilities and loans, Basaiawmoit informed the House that the total loans taken by the state government from the Government of India has increased by considerable margins. Loans taken from the open market has increased by 136 per cent from 2018-19 to 2024-25, whereas loans from NABARD has also increased by 119 per cent, he pointed out.
Terming the increase in loans as alarming, he said that as far as the repayment and balance of the loans as on March 31, 2024 is concerned, Meghalaya has taken a loan of Rs 12,209.5 crore from the open market and there was a further addition of Rs 2,786.1 crore in 2023-24.
According to Basaiawmoit, the government is paying Rs 873 crore as principal amount and Rs 941.6 crore on interest every year against the total loans it has taken.
Stating that Meghalaya is under a debt trap, he said the state is paying more interest than the principal amount, he asked the MDA Government to take stringent measures to curtail unnecessary expenditure like payments to consultants and consultation agencies.
Alleging that there is rampant illegal transportation of coal in North Garo Hills where officials manning a check point are allowing illegal movement of coal in lots of 150-250 trucks, Basaiawmoit cautioned that a non revenue generating state like Meghalaya should spend judiciously and not fall into a debt trap.
Referring to the CAG reports which have warned the Meghalaya government against falling into a debt trap, Basaiawmoit lamented that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his “blue-eyed official” have taken the CAG reports lightly.
Stating that the government is splurging money on consultancy agencies and political appointees, he said two advisers of the state government are currently in Dubai to watch the ICC Champions Trophy.
Basaiawmoit wondered if the advisers to the government and the Chief Minister himself, who had attended a cricket match in Dubai, were using government facilities for personal trips.