‘No decision for hotel in SMB spot

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SHILLONG, JULY 5: An RTI has revealed that Meghalaya government had never taken any decision to construct a ‘hotel’ at the Shillong Municipal Board’s land at Jail Road except construction of the latter’s office complex.

As per the RTI filed by the Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) it was found that, “there was no decision taken by the government to construct a hotel.”

The CSWO had sought information on file noting of all administrative orders issued by the state government, for allotment of space for construction of the hotel in the old office of the Shillong Municipal Board at Jail road junction.

“The file is moving for re-development and construction of the SMB Office and not for a Hotel. The HM Cement was to be the developer,” CSWO Agnes Kharshiing said on Sunday. “Nowhere it is  mentioned about the setting up of a hotel and files have been moving on construction of the SMB Office Complex,” she said.

As per the minutes of the cabinet meeting chaired by the then chief minister DD Lapang on March 16, 2010, it had stated, “After detailed discussion, and taking into consideration the opinion of the Law and Revenue departments, it was decided that it would be necessary to modify/review the agreements entered into by the Shillong Municipal Board with the Private Developers. The Urban Affairs department should exercise due diligence and come up to the cabinet with specific proposal avoiding legal pitfalls which may arise.”

Kharshiing questioned when the decision to construct only SMB office complex was taken and who issued the permission for construction of a hotel. According to her, due to this, the SMB office was also temporarily shifted near the official residence of the then CM.

Kharshiing alleged that this is a clear indication that the state government has cheated the people of the state as there was no decision for such hotel. Therefore, she said the CSWO demand an answer as to who had granted the permission for construction of such a multi-storied building, which has exceeding the limit of the building bylaws.- By Our Reporter