The Achik Organisation for Social Welfare (AOSW) has accused the tourism department and the Chief executive member (CEM) of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for misappropriation of funds for construction of the Nongalbibra guest house.
The allegation was made following an RTI application filed by AOSW Organising Secretary Endick M. Marak. He said that the work of the incomplete guest house was allotted to one Clever A Sangma on December 11, 2017 to be completed within 90 days in the financial year 2017-2018 at a cost of Rs 38 lakh but only 22.80 lakh was paid as running bill to the contractor.
Marak said that the contractor was paid only the first instalment when the department concerned was assured to pay him three instalments. In order to ensure that work goes on the contractor even sold his two bulls and a plot of land, he said, adding the work was left incomplete due to non-payment of the second instalment.
Stating that the contractor had approached the department and CEM repeatedly on the matter, Marak said he was told by the CEM to complete the work at his own capacity and he will not get the remaining bills even after completion of the work because the fund has been misused.
The AOSW organising secretary also stated that the contractor had not also received bills for construction of a view point at Tobeng Abri in South Garo Hills at Rs 4 lakh and an RCC culvert along NH 62 at Danang Boldakgittim at Rs 5 lakh despite completing them.
“We cannot tolerate such misappropriation of the funds from projects meant for the people and will move the court if bills of the contractor are not released,” Marak said.
