SHILLONG, July 17: The All Meghalaya Auctioneer Fraternity (AMAF) has urged the Meghalaya government to withdraw the ongoing online tender process to establish a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility and Automated Testing Station, stating that it may prevent local entrepreneurs from participating.
The demand was raised through a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on July 16. The fraternity requested the government to review the tender process, revise the eligibility criteria, and give preference to existing local auctioneers and scrap operators of Meghalaya.
Addressing the media, AMAF president R. Diengdoh said the fraternity supports the government’s initiative to introduce a modern vehicle scrappage system, but expressed concern over the manner in which the Transport Department issued the Request for Proposal (RFP).
He said members of AMAF have been involved in vehicle auctioning, scrap collection, dismantling, and related activities across Meghalaya for nearly two decades since 2006. He said their work has supported the livelihoods of hundreds of local families while contributing to responsible disposal of vehicle scrap.
According to Diengdoh, the Transport Department floated a tender on December 15, 2025, to set up a vehicle scrapping facility at Sumer for end-of-life and scrapped vehicles. Members of the fraternity had prepared to participate in the bidding process, but were later informed that the submission deadline had been extended to January 28.
However, when they approached the department to submit their bids, they were informed that the tender had been cancelled.
The AMAF president said the fraternity had no objection to the cancellation, but was surprised to find that a fresh tender was later floated through the online mode.
He said the revised tender conditions created difficulties for local auctioneers and scrap operators, particularly because of the financial eligibility requirements. He pointed out that the RFP requires bidders to have an average annual turnover of ₹74 crore, a bank solvency certificate of ₹2.5 crore, positive net worth and audited financial statements for the last three financial years.
He argued that such criteria may favour large corporate entities while excluding experienced local operators who have been engaged in the sector for many years.
“A high turnover only reflects the size of a business and does not necessarily indicate practical experience or capability. Local auctioneers have gained valuable knowledge through years of work on the ground in Meghalaya,” the fraternity stated in its memorandum.
The AMAF also raised concerns over the mandatory online tender process, stating that many local members have traditionally participated in government auctions and tenders through offline procedures.
The fraternity requested the government to withdraw the online tender and conduct the process offline, review the financial and technical eligibility conditions, and include practical experience as an important criterion while evaluating bidders.
AMAF General Secretary Larry C. Nongkynrih said the association members have been working in the auction business for years and asked why local stakeholders were not consulted before issuing the fresh tender.
The fraternity appealed to the government to ensure that the Meghalaya Vehicle Scrappage Policy benefits local entrepreneurs and protects the livelihoods of existing operators while achieving the objective of establishing an environmentally responsible vehicle scrapping system.
A copy of the memorandum was submitted to Dhar and the Commissioner of Transport.
