Ri Bhoi contractors and suppliers have decided to ask the state government to allot work tenders only to locals.
The decision was taken by the All-Ri Bhoi District Government Registered Contractor and Suppliers Association (ARBDGRC&SA) in its meeting held in Umsning today.
President of the association, FM Mawphniang said local contractors remain jobless due to shortage of works and hence work tenders related to the district should be allotted to local contractors and not from other districts.
Stating that the funds sanctioned through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has not benefitted local contractors, Mawphniang said over 1000 crores was sanctioned to different departments in the state related to developmental projects, but the projects have been allotted to different companies from outside the state.
He said the association feels that the government should divide the projects to local contractors so that completion and maintenance of such projects can be handled locally.
The association during the meeting also dwelt on setting up of a full-fledged Superintending Engineer Office (SE) of the Public Work Department in Nongpoh. Mawphniang said, this will ease hardships of contractors who have to take up matters the SE office at the Eastern Circles in Shillong.
Besides, the association would demand construction of a fly over bridge at Khanapara junction to ease traffic congestion.