Meghalaya State BJP waiting for central nod to new executive members

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 9: BJP leader and cabinet minister AL Hek has informed that the list of the new state executive members is awaiting the approval of the central leadership.

“This morning I spoke to the newly elected president Rikman G Momin, who is on the way to Delhi with a list for the approval of the central leaders. After getting the approval, they will publish the names of the new state executive members of the party,” Hek told reporters.

On the party’s preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hek said that his name is among the three ticket aspirants for the Shillong parliamentary seat.

“However, I don’t know who the other two names are. So we will see who from the three names will be the best choice for contesting from Shillong parliamentary seat,” he said while adding “Among the three, whoever will be chosen, we will have to work hard and ensure win in this upcoming Lok Sabha election.”

On TMC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma joining the BJP, Hek however said the door of the BJP is not only open to TMC but also to all political parties.

“Mukul Sangma can join at any time he wants. I welcome him anytime but we have not discussed so how will I know if he is joining or not. But for us the door is open to anybody who wants to come to the BJP,” he said.

Hek also said that he has no idea on whether Mukul Sangma is in touch or not with the BJP central leadership.

Construction of the Dawki-Amlarem-Jowai road : JAC alleges irregularities, threatens to move court

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 5: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising of traditional headmen of War Jaintia Hills and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Saturday threatened to file a petition before the Meghalaya High Court against the alleged corruption in the construction of the Dawki-Amlarem-Jowai (NH 40E) (New NH 206) sanctioned by the Centre at Rs 43 crore.

The JAC also demanded the State government to “blacklist” the Dhar Construction Company in view of the dilapidated condition of the road within just two months of its completion.

The road was sanctioned by the Ministry of Roads Transport and Highways at Rs 43 crore. The work was allotted to the Dhar Construction Company on September 9, 2022 with a target that the road should be completed within 12 months.

“Despite the proposal by the PWD department was for strengthening the road, residents of the area are shocked and surprised that the road now is in a dilapidated condition just within two months of its completion,” JAC chairman and HYC leader Yoodahunki Shylla told reporters.

He said the JAC condemned the PWD for its failure to ensure proper implementation of the project which only led to misuse and wastage of public funds.

“Therefore, we have decided to move the Meghalaya High Court to ensure contractors do not attempt to make business out of developmental projects just for their personal gains,” Shylla said.

Demanding the Chief Engineer of PWD to issue clarification on the matter within a week’s time, he said, “This is because as per the PWD’s proposal, the road will be strengthened making it fit for use by heavy commercial vehicles but sadly, implementation on the ground says otherwise.”

“We will go ahead with our decision to file a PIL against poor implementation of the project but the PWD CE should clarify because he was the one who proposed details of the road. It cannot be that the proposal will end only on paper?” he said even as he maintained that the PIL will be against the PWD and the contractor.

To a query, Shylla alleged that corruption is there since the manner in which the bills were released to the contractors says that there is something behind.

The JAC leader further demanded that the Dhar Construction Company should be blacklisted.

“The state government should blacklist such companies. We expect the project to benefit the people of the area, which has contributed a lot to the revenue of the state government. We also have a landport but with such road conditions it will surely affect the economic interest of the people of the area,” he stated.