BJP dares NPP for open debate over corruption in ADCs

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 13, 2020

The BJP has challenged the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) state president and Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi for an open debate on the alleged rampant corruption in the autonomous district council (ADCs). 

BJP vice president and spokesperson, Bernard N Marak also alleged that Kharlukhi, who did not give straight answer during debate for CBI inquiry, seems to be in favour of corruption in ADCs. 

“If he thinks there’s no corruption in ADCs then I would suggest him to get ready for an open debate,” Marak said in a statement issued on Sunday. 

The BJP has been demanding for a CBI probe into the alleged corruption in the implementation of the central special assistance grants (SAGs) by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

Marak said BJP is against corruption and “we will prove Kharlukhi wrong”. 

He said GHADC has violated NITI Ayog guidelines by issuing two work orders for the same building in the same year in the name of Eisenhawar Sangma Rs 4,18,39,900 and Kubon Sangma Rs 62,60,000. The work order stated it should be completed within two years. Ground floor was given to Kubon Sangma and rest to Eisenhawar Sangma. 

“Kubon Sangma’s work is interestingly shown completed and Eisenhawar Sangma’s work is 50% completed. How on earth did GHADC think two projects can be completed in two years when both projects referred to the same building? This is just the tip of an ice berg of various scams in GHADC,” the BJP leader said. 

Marak further said that the most expensive project in Rs 100.71 crore is the supply of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to GHADC at Rs 5.82 crore adding, the most expensive documentary on GHADC which was supposed to be completed within one year is filmed by a non-Garo and still missing after 4 years. 

“Kharlukhi would be blown away by the facts which we can table to him. He should agree for CBI inquiry, debating BJP will destroy him and his party particularly in Garo Hills.

It is interesting that Kharlukhi used the term “tin pot dictator” in describing Ernest Mawrie, President of BJP Meghalaya state. The term “Tin pot Dictator” is a term coined in the British Victorian era. People using this term are often old fashioned and their thinking is outdated and not at par with the needs of the times. It reflects a mindset stuck in the past,” he said.

Marak said the party will observe how Dr Kharlukhi performs in Parliament especially when the challenges of the present COVID 19 pandemic requires the Rajya Sabha MP to be upto date and literate in the science and the medicine to fight COVID 19. 

He said the more pertinent question is how does Dr Kharlukhi view the institutionalisation of the oligarchy in his own party which is now being visible to the public. 

“We are sure that he is very much aware of this oligarchy since he is very much a part of it. The exposure of the corruption had also exposed the oligarchy controlling the NPP and the state of Meghalaya which is worse than the time when previous regimes were ruling the state,” he said adding that the party will apprise the NPP national president of issues within the ADCs.

He said as part of the MDA coalition government it is the duty of the party to see that corruption is rooted out and the NPP oligarchy looting the state with its levy of business commissions and alloting lucrative works and political appointments to family, friends and sycophants has to stop. He reminded that in the face of this Pandemic the welfare and interest of the people of Meghalaya should be the first priority.