By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 25: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to blacklist an Assam-based private security agency, North East Security Service (NESS), for allegedly resorting to fraudulent practices to secure a security services contract at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Sohra.
Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh said that NESS had misused a trading licence issued by the KHADC for a specific location to obtain a security tender at another institution in violation of the council’s rules.
According to him, although NESS was awarded the security tender at NIT Sohra, it used a trading licence issued solely for providing security services at Kendra Vidyalaya (KV), Laitkor. He clarified that under KHADC regulations, a trading licence is strictly location and project-specific and cannot be used to apply for tenders at other establishments.
“The agency committed fraud by uploading the KV Laitkor certificate on the NIT portal to falsely claim that it possessed a valid licence. This is a clear case of cheating,” Lyngdoh said.
Following a clarification received from NIT, Sohra authorities, Lyngdoh said the council initiated stringent measures, including writing a strongly-worded letter to the Director of NIT, advising the institute not to accept or issue any work order to NESS in view of the alleged fraudulent conduct.
The council decided not to issue any future trading licences to NESS for operations within its jurisdiction. In addition, the existing trading licence granted to the agency for operating at Kendra Vidyalaya, Laitkor, will be cancelled with immediate effect.
“If we allow such an agency to continue, it will gain the confidence to commit similar fraudulent acts elsewhere. We cannot permit such illegal practices within the council’s jurisdiction,” he said.
Earlier, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), South East Sohra Circle, had criticised NESS for misusing the KHADC-issued trading licence. HNYF South East Sohra Circle spokesperson Banjop Khongwir had stated that the Front would seek an appointment with the Director of NIT and demand a comparative statement to ascertain whether any Khasi-owned security agencies participated in the tender process floated by NIT.
He stated that in case Khasi-owned private security agencies were found available, the organisation would take steps to ensure that the tender was reissued.
The HNYF spokesperson had also demanded that NIT invite fresh tenders and entrust security services at the institute exclusively to Khasi-owned security agencies. The organisation had met the Sordar of Elaka Saitsohpen prior to meeting the CEM of KHADC to discuss the issue.
“We thank the CEM for standing with us. If the Assam-based private security agency has violated traditional governance norms by operating without obtaining a No Objection Certificate and without the knowledge of the Elaka, then the Elaka must take steps to ensure that such agencies are not allowed to operate within its jurisdiction,” Khongwir had stated.
