By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 5: The Meghalaya Congress has levelled a serious allegation against the VPP-led Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council of running an expanded network of toll gates without adhering to tendering norms.
The Congress asked the EC to come clean on the revenue, accountability, and operational practices.
MPCC president Vincent H. Pala clarified that his allegations were directed exclusively at toll gates operated by the District Council itself.
“I spoke only after obtaining concrete documents from the Chief Forest Officer, which clearly indicated that the council is operating 25 toll gates directly managed by its own department,” Pala said, accusing the VPP of failing to uphold its pledge of “transparent governance”.
“The promise of the VPP was to ensure clear working, yet now there is no transparency and no clear accounting in their administration,” Pala remarked.
Highlighting a significant discrepancy, he added, “Out of the 25 operational toll gates, eight are generating zero revenue. Why are they not calling for tenders for these? This shows a lack of clarity and accountability.”
Reiterating that his claims were not made lightly, he said, “As a leader, before I speak, I ensure I have precise information. Be it on any issue, I do my homework, and I never speak haphazardly anywhere. Even regarding the District Council, I did my homework.”
Pala further alleged that the present EC is overseeing more toll gates than the previous committee, but without the tendering practices earlier maintained.
“Regarding enforcement, the previous EC used to establish many toll gates, but this was done through a tendering process, where the villages provided an NOC (No Objection Certificate) for collection,” he explained, claiming that the current EC has exceeded that number by directly managing additional gates through the Council’s departments.
Pala demanded accountability from the VPP, insisting that they must admit how many toll gates they have established, how much profit they are gaining, and how much loss they are incurring.
