Shillong, Oct 15: There is no tendering process for toll gates set up in the name of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh admitted in the house today.
Lyngdoh was replying to a question by Mawshynrut MDC Srally Rashir on the number of toll gates operating for collection of tolls at Shallang-Nongshram and Riangdo-Athiabari.
“The toll gates are one each at Athiabari and Nongshram,” the CEM said.
Revealing the process, the CEM said only a public notice was issued – on May 7 for Athiabari and July 1 for Nongshram – with seven working days given. He said the council received Rs 1.80 lakh for Nongshram and Rs 80,000 for Athiabari for the period from May to the end of the financial year.
Justifying it, Lyngdoh said a tender process involves advertisement expenses and there is no provision in Sixth Schedule on whether toll gates should be given through tender or public notice. He claimed the public notice system was started only after the new EC took over and since then revenue has increased by over 15 percent and for some more.
But the claim triggered strong objections.
Langrin MDC Pius Marwein said there are three toll gates operating in his constituency on Public Works Department (PWD) roads, questioning how KHADC gates can operate on state government roads.
He asked what is the use of renting out toll gates that cannot function due to clash of laws with the state government.
The CEM replied that the executive committee can act on complaints only if those who rented the gates file a complaint and added that hardly anyone has sought reimbursement despite not being allowed to operate.
Opposition leader Titosstarwell Chyne demanded transparency, alleging public notices were hung briefly and removed on the same day. He demanded that the EC share copies of public notices, reveal minimum rates and declare all applicants’ bids openly.
“Notice should be displayed for all seven working days, not removed in hours,” Chyne said.
Nongshken MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri slammed the system where applicants quote their own rates, calling it non-transparent. Lyngdoh assured that the system will be improved, rates will be compared and, if possible, fixed rates will be introduced in future.
