‘Heritage project fact’

SHILLONG, MAR 25: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit today said that the new executive committee under his leadership is duty bound to bring to light the true picture on the alleged scam in the implementation of the Khasi Village Heritage project of the previous executive committee.

“We are duty bound to bring a clear picture on the project before the public,” Basaiawmoit said in his reply to the zero hour discussion moved by former CEM Pynshngainlang N Syiem on the first day of budget session on Tuesday.

The way the previous executive committee led by Khasi Hills United Democratic Alliance (KHUDA-I) had approved the detail project report (DPR) of the Rs 5.97 crore project, the failure to invite an open tender for appointment of consultants and the construction of public toilets for Rs 32 lakh in the village are some of the few questions raised by public which we need to answer, Basaiawmoit said.

Basaiawmoit alleged that the previous EC had negotiated privately with the Anderson Consultant firm without calling for any tender which might have reduced the estimated cost for the construction of heritage village.”

Informing that executive committee would soon sit to discussion on the issue, Basaiawmoit said, “We will take a call whether the matter needs to be investigated or not,” adding “The EC is yet to rule out that the KHUDA led EC has misappropriated the funds and not on the implementation of the project.”

The CEM, however, said the present EC is not trying to find fault with what the previous EC has been doing for KHADC.

On the question raised by PN Syiem whether the new EC would continue with monolith festival in the Khasi village heritage or not, Basaiawmoit said, “The EC will examine the matter,” adding “We are not here to disregard what the earlier ECs have been doing but we will ensure whatever we do it will be transparent and accountable.”

Syiem further urged the EC to handle the issue in a way and ensure that truth prevails.- By Our Reporter