By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 9: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday said the state government was unable to split large infrastructure projects into smaller packages because of strict funding rules imposed by international and central agencies.
Addressing media persons, Tynsong explained that projects financed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), PMGSY and North Eastern Council (NEC) come with non-negotiable guidelines that prohibit division of contracts.
“If a project is approved as a single Rs 50-crore package, we are not allowed to break it. We have to execute it as one package,” Tynsong said, while acknowledging the livelihood concerns of local contractors.
To support Meghalaya contractors, the state has earmarked around Rs 1,500 crore from its own budget in the last financial year and divided those works among local firms, Tynsong added.
He revealed that contractor bodies had repeatedly demanded changes in the guidelines, following which the government raised the matter with the Centre, World Bank and ADB.
“However, they have made it clear that the guidelines cannot be altered. We have no choice but to follow the rules if we want the funds and the projects,” the Deputy CM said.
