NPP unhappy over royalty to GHADC

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAY 1: Opposition National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday accused the Mukul Sangma led state government for its alleged discriminatory attitude in releasing the share of royalty on major minerals to the GHADC.

The issue related to the share of royalty to the three autonomous district councils (ADCs) was discussed at an emergent meeting of the NPP’s Regional Committee for Garo Hills held recently at Tura.

As per the letter of the Under Secretary of Mining & Geology Department on March 31, the total amount released as royalty share was Rs 38.04 crore.

“We condemned this discriminatory attitude of Dr Mukul Sangma led government for sanctioning just a mere Rs 7.14 lakh to the GHADC,” NPP state spokesman James K Sangma, MLA said in a statement issued on Monday.

Stating that this was a glaring example of disparity when compared to the amount sanctioned to the Congress led EC of KHADC and JHADC, James said out of Rs 38.04 crore, the government has released Rs 19.50 crore and Rs 18.46 crore for KHADC and JHADC respectively.

“This is a clear case of bias on the part of the Congress government towards the people of Garo Hills and this is totally unbecoming of the Government of the day,” he added.

The NPP leader further informed that the meeting unanimously resolved to seek justice and at the same time seek clarification as to why such injustice was meted out to the GHADC, when it is facing acute financial crisis besides not being able to pay the salaries to its employees for so many months.

Meanwhile, the NPP also condemned the sudden closing of stone quarries only in West Garo Hills District resulting in an unfortunate halt to all governmental, private and individual constructions of buildings, roads and bridges, etc.

It was also resolved that the government will be urged to allow the sale of stone materials for at least the local consumption.

In view of the acute shortage of water supply in the entire Garo Hills region especially in Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara and others, the NPP would also urged the state government to rectify all problems and accordingly ensure regular and uninterrupted water supply in all the districts of the region.