SHILLONG, FEB 28: The construction of the long awaited new state Assembly building will commence before the Lok Sabha elections after the high-powered committee (HPC) finalised its decision to hand over the work to an Uttar Pradesh-based company.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the meeting held here on Thursday, Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy said, “We have approved the proposal to allot the construction work to Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd which is PSU of the Uttar Pradesh government.”
Roy while stating that the work order will be immediately issued to the contractor said, “We have to ensure that the work started before the model code of conduct in view of ensuing Lok Sabha polls is imposed.”
The Speaker, who is heading the HPC, further informed that the committee has also decided to request the state government for speeding up the process of releasing the fund of 10 percent which is amounting to Rs 12 crore for the purpose.
Terming the design of new Assembly building as one of the best in the North east region, Roy said the first phase of the project would include the construction of the Assembly building and office while the quarters for the Speaker and staff will be on the second phase.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira and others.
The chief minister has expressed confidence that the state government would be able to complete the work within the stipulated time, which is fixed for 36 months (three years).
Conrad said the project cost was estimated at Rs 145 crore and the quotation that came in from this company is amounting to Rs 127 crore which is very much within the sanction amount.
Asked, he said apart from mobilising funds from own resources, the state government would also approached the Centre for extending financial support.
“At the same time we are already started initiating talks with financial institutions and agencies…it is in an advance stage and now we will have to take a decision on how to move forward,” the chief minister said.
The new Assembly building will be constructed at an 80 acres land at Mawdiangdiang in the New Shillong Township.
On the other hand, the leader of opposition has emphasized the need to constitute an independent quality monitoring committee to oversee the smooth implementation of the project.
“We have felt the need to have an independent quality monitoring committee to be constituted and the HPC will also make a frequent visit to see the project not only to ensure that it is completed in time but also quality based on the benchmark being set in the DPR,” Mukul said.
“We hope before the next Assembly elections, we will be able to have the session held in the new building as we celebrate the 50th year of Meghalaya statehood,” he added.
It may be mentioned here that the State Legislative Assembly for the past 16 years does not have a permanent building ever since the fire incident that destroyed the old assembly building at Khyndailad way back in 2001.
The incident had made Meghalaya to become the only state without an Assembly building.
The delay in the construction of the new building was also due to problem in finalization of the land.
By Our Reporter
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