VPP asks Govt to terminate contract with Rocky Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 18, 2023

The Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Friday demanded the State government to terminate the contract given to cabinet minister’s brother Rocky Dhar in regards to the allotment of the ground floor of the Meghalaya House, Kolkata for business purposes.

In his letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, VPP general secretary Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon said, “The party vehemently opposes such unreasonable and unethical decision which is at the cost of the government department/corporation in general and the indigenous producers/artisans of the state in particular.”

“Therefore, we would like you to kindly intervene into this matter and take immediate and necessary action to stop this contract by the concerned department with M/S Rocky Dhar in the interest of the state and its people,” he added.

Rocky is the younger brother of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. 

Dr Syngkon said the party has expressed its utter shock and dismay at the decision of the General Administration Department (A) to allot the ground floor of the commercial complex, Meghalaya House located at Russell Street, Kolkata to one M/S Rocky Dhar of Nongmynsong, Umkdait Block -Il, Shillong for business purpose.

He said this floor is presently occupied by three government departments/corporation viz Tourist Information Centre under the Directorate of Tourism, Directorate of Horticulture and Government State Emporium which is under the Meghalaya Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.

All these units/outlets under the various departments/corporations have been set up at this very place in order to promote the Products and Services of the various departments commercially.

“Therefore, we are at our wits end as to how the Government which is meant to serve the interest of the people through the various departments, took up such a decision to promote the interest of an individual at the cost of its people whom it is supposed to serve and uplift their economic conditions and also to promote the culture of the state,” Dr Syngkon said.

He further alleged that the tender was actually called for some of the vacant space other than the ground floor, however, the very fact that the tenderer was awarded the ground floor is a clear case of flouting and transgression of rules and regulations and utter failure on the part of the concerned authority to carry out its task in letter and spirit.