Stop treating BJP as opposition in GHADC: Marak tells NPP chief

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 16, 2023

BJP MDC from Tura Bernard N Marak has asked the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to direct the NPP led executive committee in the GHADC to stop treating the BJP as opposition and to ensure equal distribution of the tied and untied grants in constituencies which are represented by non-NPP MDCs

In a letter to the CM on Sunday, Marak said, “Hence, I request you to kindly look into the matter and direct your Executive Committee to stop treating BJP as opposition and distribute the basic grants (tied and untied) equally to all so that the people gets the benefit. Kindly, acknowledge this prayer and stop discrimination other non NPP MDCS in GHADC as it affects the people they represent.”

He alleged that the NPP led executive committee in GHADC has allotted only 15 lakhs to the prestigious Tura constituency which also happens to be the CM’s constituency.

“I am a BJP MDC and NPP is in coalition with BJP in the Center and the State but in GHADC, NPP has treated BJP biasly in all activities even in distribution of developmental funds sanctioned by the BJP Government in the Center through the Rural Local Bodies (RLBS) under Fifteen Finance Commission (XV FC),” Marak said.

Stating that Tura constituency is the biggest constituency among the GHADC constituencies having the highest number of population and voters, he said,  “Biasness by NPP led Executive Committee has deprived the people of Tura of basic facilities which could have been provided through the funds sanctioned by the center government.”

He further alleged that the work order issued by GHADC which has limited the sanction to only 15 lakhs violates the guidelines of XV FC. 

“The limited allocation also violates the constitutional right of an elected representative as it deprives the people of the constituency one represents,” he said adding “Tura is a prestigious seat and it has more than 30 villages which I want to be firm that it should not be deprived. The prestigious Tura constituency has been deprived in the past too as merely 10 lakhs was allotted from the tied and untied fund in the past by NPP led Executive Committee.” 

“So, I humbly request you to direct your MDCS in GHADC to distribute the fund equally. Secondly, you are requested to release the due amounts payable to GHADC by the state government as royalty and others as GHADC is sinking in debts yet under pressure to pay its employees for last 31 months. You are also requested to pay the afforestation fund released to the state in last 3 years through the agreement signed by ANVC and ANVC.B as it is meant for GHADC Forest Department, not State. Also release the Motor Vehicle taxes to GHADC as state has not cleared its dues for years,” Marak further stated in the letter.