Opposition says the Mawsynram Market Complex contractor has not received payment in almost a year
SHILLONG, Oct 24: The Opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Friday questioned the delay in releasing the pending bill for the Mawsynram Market Complex, completed almost a year ago.
Raising the issue during Question Hour on the final day of the Council’s winter session, Mawsynram MDC Alvin K. Sawkmie sought clarification on why the contractor’s bill had not been cleared despite the project being completed last November.
“It is not a new project, so why has the bill not been cleared? What are the reasons for the delay?” Sawkmie asked. He also questioned why the market complex has not yet been commissioned and pointed out that the building is currently not being maintained.
He further wanted to know whether the Executive Committee (EC) would sanction additional funds for repairs or improvement of the complex.
In response, Executive Member (EM) in charge of Council Assets, Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin, stated that the Council plans to inaugurate the market complex within the next few months.
He said the contractor has not yet officially handed over the completed project to the Council, which has contributed to the delay.
“We have a pending bill of less than ₹7 lakh, which will be released soon. The amount is currently being processed by the Finance Department,” Kharjahrin stated.
He added that once the project is formally handed over, the Council will hold discussions with the village dorbar to decide on the management of the market.
“We have already had verbal discussions with the local dorbar. Once operational, the market will greatly benefit the people of the area,” Kharjahrin said.
Timely issuance of land title certificates assured
The EM in charge of the Land Department, Powell Sohkhlet, has assured the Council that land title rights certificates will be issued without delay.
Responding to a question raised by Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit during the Question Hour, Sohkhlet said that although the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021, does not specify a time frame for the issuance of certificates, the department will take every necessary step to ensure they are released on time.
“There will not be any delay,” he said while replying to the query.
