Conrad lauds reforms for a progressive GHADC despite skepticism from Congress

Tura, April 6: The political battle for the coveted prize of GHADC is at an all time high, barely three days before closure of campaign, as the top leadership of the NPP coming from as distant as Manipur to nearer home in Shillong gather in mass in the Garo Hills to back the party candidates against the opposition Congress who are being steered by their former chief minister Mukul Sangma in a last ditch attempt to usurp the NNP throne from the autonomous council.

It is a full house at Raja Apal as the crowd gathered to support our candidate Sukaram Sangma. Thunderous applause with one united voice for NPP. Thank you Raja Apal for boosting our confidence. pic.twitter.com/8DGAU0KuE6

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) April 6, 2021

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar on Tuesday arrived all the way from Imphal to give support for NPP candidates in the GHADC elections. Alongside him are top NPP honchos including Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Rajya Sabha MP W R Kharlukhi and Transport minister Snawbalang Dhar who are already camping in the region and holding campaign rallies alongside chief minister Conrad K Sangma.

While the Congress led by Ex CM Mukul Sangma has ridiculed the NPP and the chief minister accusing them of failing to turn the fortunes of the district council around despite the centre releasing Rs 100.71 crores in the last five years, the chief minister Conrad Sangma has hit back, replying to each and every accusation hurled by his main rival.

“Congress under Mukul Sangma questions why we could not utilize the Rs 100.71 crores for disbursement of salaries of the council staff. He seems to feign ignorance that the guidelines for the funding clearly mention that the money can be utilized solely for developmental projects and not salary disbursement. He was chief minister once, surely he ought to know the guidelines” taunted Conrad Sangma.

The chief minister goes on to clarify that despite the financial constraints and stiff opposition from vested interest groups and parties, the NPP led Executive Committee in the GHADC went ahead with the complete overhaul and reformation of the working mechanism of GHADC.

“Mukul Sangma and the Congress blames us for all the ills plaguing the GHADC. They don’t seem to notice the steps we have taken to reform the GHADC which will one day put it on a solid footing and ensure long term stability in management and finance. See the changes that took place between 2010 when the strength of the GHADC staff was only 1100 staff and in 2013 when it rose to 2300 due to illegal appointments when the Congress was in power. The pay bill rose from 2 to 6 Crore a month due to the illegal appointments,” narrates Conrad Sangma.

The chief minister goes on to say that salary disbursement through bank accounts led to accountability and the unraveling of a large scale misappropriation to the tune of several lakhs of rupees in the name of ghost employees.

“As part of the reforms programme each employee had to produce their identity cards. We found that there were 700 people who did not exist but salaries were being withdrawn in their name every month. We were able to eradicate this problem,” revealed Conrad Sangma as he expressed dismay with the Congress for stonewalling his attempts at revamping the oldest autonomous council.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Rajya Sabha MP W R Kharlukhi expressed similar views urging upon the voters to bring back the NPP to power to ensure the completion of the reforms taking place.

“The NPP which started as a party in Meghalaya is now accepted all over the north east and even beyond because of the good work and developmental agenda that it pursues. People of Garo Hills will benefit from an NPP led government in the GHADC,” said Tynsong in his election appeal to the people in North Garo Hills.