By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 18: Two prominent organisations in Meghalaya have strongly criticised the alleged concentration of major Public Health Engineering (PHE) contracts worth over Rs 1,900 crore in the hands of a single Hyderabad-based company, BAC Infratech Pvt Ltd.
The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Monday raised serious concerns over irregularities, lack of transparency, and the sidelining of local contractors, engineers, and indigenous youth in the awarding of water supply and infrastructure projects across the state.
HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani and assistant publicity secretary Onistar Nongkynrih, in a statement, claimed that BAC Infratech — established in 2014 — has secured projects in almost every district, ranging from utility relocation works to large-scale water supply schemes.
Citing a report published in The Shillong Times, they highlighted the New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme, which was sanctioned at Rs 538.44 crore and later revised to Rs 772 crore, marking a cost escalation of Rs 233.56 crore.
The organisation listed multiple other contracts awarded to the firm in Shillong, Jowai, Nongpoh, Sohra, Tura, Williamnagar, Ampati, Baghmara, and various divisions, including augmentation projects and works linked to several other projects.
Kharbani questioned how one outside company could dominate such a large volume of contracts while local contractors from the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills struggle to secure even small-scale works. He warned that this monopoly could severely hurt employment opportunities for local youth and further worsen the state’s unemployment situation.
“Our land is not meant for one company to exploit and monopolise while local contractors struggle,” Kharbani said.
He clarified that HANM is not opposed to development or any specific company but finds the government’s dealings with BAC Infratech “questionable.” The group announced it would conduct further investigations through its units in all districts and reveal more details soon.
Separately, the HYC expressed strong condemnation over the alleged favouritism. HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem questioned how a single firm secured major projects across districts in such a short time.
Synrem alleged that this concentration has sidelined local contractors, entrepreneurs, and indigenous youth, while raising suspicions of favouritism by the PHE and possible misuse of public funds, especially amid massive cost escalations.
