GHADC faces MDC’s ire on trading license issue

HP NEWS SERVICE
Tura, Jul 2: Congress MDC from Boldamgre in South West Garo Hills district, Stevie Marak has hit out the current Executive Council in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) while accusing it of allocating trading license to non-tribal businessmen without his consent.
Marak whose constituency borders Mankachar in Assam, today said that traders from Assam, some of who may even be from neighbouring Bangladesh were being given trading licenses without proper verification.
He alleged that the action by GHADC had allowed many non-tribals without valid documentation to enter the State to do business.
The MDC added that influx was a concern as some Assam residents were buying up land in Mir Jumla, which falls under Meghalaya, and constructing houses without getting the proper permission to do so.
According to him, they were using the trading licenses issued by GHADC to show they are from Meghalaya.
“As a local of the place, I know most of the people from my constituency and that means my assent to their license is necessary but the present NPP led executive committee in GHADC has done away with my consent. This is a very dangerous trend and could backfire on the people of the State,” Marak said.
Concerned over the issue, the MDC appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of South West Garo Hills district, Ramakrishna Chitturi asking for more stringent checks on influx across the border with Assam.
He further hit out at the NPP led executive committee in GHADC over the lack of transparency in the process and alleged that there is siphoning of money which is meant for the welfare of the region.
“They have taken corruption to another level. Despite funds that were given by the Centre, State government and its own resources, the GHADC has been struggling with finance due to complete mismanagement and the greed of a few MDCs and officers who support them. They are perhaps the most corrupt leaders in the history of Garo Hills,” Marak alleged.