Shillong: The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has accused the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) government of “changing” norms to allot the ground floor of Meghalaya House, Kolkata to a private firm run by the brother of a senior cabinet minister.
The firm M/S Rocky Dhar is run by the youngest brother of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
The VPP has indirectly accused the NPP-led government of nepotism and blatant flouting of norms in allotting the ground floor to the cabinet minister’s brother.
“After three attempts, the government has finally been able to award the tender to M/S Rocky Dhar. The government has to come out clear as to how changes have been made in the terms and conditions to now favour this individual businessman or firm to ensure that he gets the ground floor,” VPP General Secretary, Ricky A J Syngkon said.
UNI was unable to reach General Administration Department Minister, Rakkam Sangma for a comment on the allegations as his phones were switched off
The Meghalaya House, Kolkata at Russell Street has been using the ground floor as a commercial complex for some government corporations and departments.
Before allotting the ground floor to M/S Rocky Dhar it housed the Tourist Information Centre under the Directorate of Tourism, Directorate of Horticulture and Meghalaya Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.
“All these units and outlets under the various departments and corporations have been set to promote the products and services of the state on commercial terms. Therefore we fail to understand how the government, which is meant to serve the interest of the people, now promotes the interest of an individual,” Syngkon said.
