SHILLONG, July 21: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Tuesday urged the Meghalaya government to revise the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the proposed Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility and Automated Testing Station at Sumer, arguing that the existing eligibility conditions could exclude indigenous entrepreneurs and favour larger bidders.
In a representation submitted to the Commissioner of Transport, the VPP said that while it supports scientific vehicle scrapping and environmentally sustainable initiatives, certain provisions in the RFP require reconsideration before the bidding process is finalised.
The party objected to the financial eligibility criteria requiring an average annual turnover of Rs 4 crore and a solvency certificate of Rs 2.5 crore, stating that these thresholds could prevent many capable local entrepreneurs from participating. It sought relaxation of the conditions to ensure a level playing field for indigenous businesses.
The VPP also sought preference for indigenous entrepreneurs, local cooperative societies and joint ventures with substantial local ownership, noting that the project,which involves the lease of about five acres of government land at Sumer, should generate economic benefits and employment within Meghalaya.
The party urged the government to make it mandatory for non-tribal bidders to possess a valid trading licence issued by the concerned Autonomous District Council (ADC) at the time of bid submission, besides introducing verification mechanisms to prevent benami arrangements.
The party pointed out that the RFP does not explicitly require compliance with the applicable laws of the ADCs. It urged the Transport Department to include provisions mandating all necessary approvals and permissions from the concerned ADC, wherever applicable.
The VPP said revising the RFP before the completion of the bidding process would promote fair competition, strengthen local entrepreneurship and safeguard the interests of Meghalaya’s indigenous people.
