The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) predicted a dark and gloomy Christmas for many in Garo Hills because of corruption plaguing the state.
“It’s going to be a dark Christmas for many employees in Garo Hills because of rampant corruption in the state. Christmas used to be the happiest time of the year but now it’s going to be an excruciating time for many Christians,” said the party’s state Vice-President Bernard Marak through a press release.
The BJP called on Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to prove his word when he said that there was no corruption in the state.
“The Chief Minister needs to address the problems of the people immediately by releasing all dues, proving that he can take responsibility over such a crisis and that his no corruption slogan is manifest through his deeds,” added Marak.
The BJP leader, however, added that though the saffron party has been silent, it was not blind to what was happening.
“The problem can be easily solved. The corruption in the GHADC (Garo Hills Autonomous District Council) made the employees and the officials suffer beyond imagination. Thirty-two months dues in salary is not something to be taken lightly,” he said.
Unlike employee associations, the BJP stood by the conduct of the GHADC Secretary, who is presently in Shillong trying to solve the council’s financial crisis. Instead of blaming the Secretary, Marak said that she is at the mercy of her political leaders.
“The BJP expresses solidarity with all those who are desperately voicing for their dues. We request the BJP state President, Ernest Mawrie, to initiate a bailout package for the Council,” Marak stated, adding that the state’s leaders could otherwise move to dissolve the GHADC on the pretext of its failure to be financially viable.
