Shillong, Jul 21: The Voice of the People Party has written to the Commissioner of Transport seeking revision of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for setting up a registered vehicle scrapping facility/automated testing station at Sumer.
In the letter, VPP Vice President Dr. KH Shen said while the party supports scientific vehicle scrapping and environmental sustainability, certain RFP provisions may disadvantage local indigenous entrepreneurs.
Shen asked the government to review the Financial Eligibility Criteria. According to him, the requirement of an average annual turnover of Rs. 24 crore and a solvency certificate of Rs. 2.5 crore is likely to exclude many capable local entrepreneurs from participating in the project.
“We request that these financial thresholds be suitably relaxed to ensure a level playing field for indigenous entrepreneurs and local enterprises,” he stated.
The VPP also stated that preference should be given to indigenous entrepreneurs.
According to the party since the project involves the lease of approximately five acres of government land at Sumer, preference should be accorded to indigenous entrepreneurs, local cooperative societies, or joint ventures with substantial local ownership so that the economic benefits of the project remain within the State and generate employment for the youth of Meghalaya.
Thirdly, the VPP stated in the letter that every non-tribal bidder be required to possess a valid Trading Licence issued by the concerned Autonomous District Council at the time of submission of bids.
“Appropriate verification mechanisms should also be incorporated to prevent benami arrangements and ensure full compliance with the relevant laws governing trade in Meghalaya,” the VPP vice-president stated.
According to the VPP the RFP provides that the successful bidder shall obtain all requisite approvals, permits and licences from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the concerned State Government.
However, it does not make any reference to the approvals or permissions that may be required from the concerned Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule and the applicable laws of Meghalaya.
“The RFP should expressly require compliance with all applicable Autonomous District Council laws, including obtaining necessary approvals and permissions from the concerned District Council, wherever applicable,” the party stated.
Dr. Shen stated that in view of the concerns expressed by the VPP, the Commissioner of Transport Government should review and suitably amend the eligibility conditions of the RFP before the finalisation of the bidding process.
“Such a revision would promote fair competition, encourage local entrepreneurship, and ensure that development initiatives are implemented in a manner that safeguards the interests of the indigenous people of Meghalaya,” the VPP vice-president stated.
