BJP oppose govt’s decision to introduce CBW

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 16, 2020

The state BJP on Friday opposed the state government’s decision to introduce the central bonded warehouse (CBW) alleging that the move is to turn the Meghalaya into a mafia run society.

“BJP strongly opposed this decision and we would go to any end to counter the decision of the Conrad led Government in introducing CBW,” BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said in a statement.  

“The officials involved in the introduction of CBW will also be dealt with with all legal proceedings because it is not the mandate of the public but few corrupt thinking leaders and officials who want to turn Meghalaya into a mafia run society,” he said.

Mawrie said the BJP does not want Meghalaya to become a mafia ruled state as it is turning into one with scams erupting right from district councils, coal, electricity bills etc.

“And now Central Bonded Warehouse will turn into another corruption and destruction of the State,” he said.

On Monday, the state cabinet approved the introduction of the CBW to increase the revenue generation of the excise department.

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had stated,  “We assure that with the implementation of this particular CBW, the overall revenue of the excise department and the state government would jump manifold.”

Rejecting the CM’s claim, the BJP leader said that centralising the bonded warehouse is not going to benefit the 44 bond owners in Meghalaya but will greatly benefit only four owners who will control the entire system of supply.

He cited that CBW was abolished in Rajasthan when the BJP Government found that it was not helping the needs of the State as only few were benefiting out of it.

CBW is often controlled by some individuals who make maximum profit for their political bosses which ultimately leads to the mafia system of functioning.“CBW was also abolished in UP due to similar reasons like Rajasthan so why is Meghalaya interested to follow the controversial centralisation of bonded warehouse?” he said.