Shillong, Jan 8: The BJP has said the NPP is taking credit for the projects funded by the Centre.
In a statement, the Tura BJP MDC, Bernard Marak said the NPP is treating BJP as an opposition in Garo Hills.
“BJP is treated as an opposition by NPP in Garo Hills and they took credit for all the development funded by BJP government in the Centre,” Marak said in a statment.
He said the BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modi has released Rs 151.9 crore for Hunar Skill development centre which includes Nursing college with 300 bed hospital, pharmaceutical college, para medical college, skill development centre with hostels for boys and girls with around 1000 capacity and a working women’s hostel.
“However, Modi government was not given credit for any project in the state,” he said.
Marak further alleged that even the flagship programmes like FOCUS, FOCUS+, NLM, YESS etc have become NPP schemes.
“State has hijacked the Hunar Skill Development projects from Tura to Dalmagre and then to a remote village near Chidekgre and attempted to rename it into P.A.Sangma skill development centre,” he said.
The MDC said the union minister of state (MoS) John Barla went personally to inspect the project site and was surprised to see only clearings and markings at a site.
The renaming of the project was objected by Barla as it was not in the knowledge of the Centre.
He said another disappointment was that the agreement with the villagers / land owners who donated the 98 bighas of land was also not completed which is sure to remain a hurdle by slowing down the smooth progress of the project as apprehension on the intentions of the state authorities has irked the villagers.
“The due credit to the Centre government under the leadership of Narendra Modi was not given in any of these projects. The foundation stone was nowhere to be seen as it was taken to a village for safe keeping,” he said.
He alleged, “Even, PA Sangma stadium project sanctioned by Modi government did not have any acknowledgement on the foundation stone taking all credits by the state. Even the hoardings put up by CM all over the state with government money mentions about Modi’s scheme and had CM and NPP MLAs” picture but not even a single picture of Narendra Modi.”
He said the motive is clear, all projects are hijacked and modified without giving credit to Narendra Modi.
“These are the facts which people question as to how CM is indirectly campaigning through these banners taking full credit of Modi’s initiative and not acknowledging him?”
Marak said the BJP at the Centre is well aware of the facts and the union ministers are coming to verify the reality on the ground.
“People are also aware of who is fooling who and who is providing fund to the NPP-led government. NPP- BJP may be in coalition in the state and the Centre, but in Garo Hills NPP treats BJP as an opposition,” he said.
SHGs yet to get financial help
Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmers Producers Organisations(FPOs), Clubs and other registered organisations are yet to get financial assistance.
Marak said the BJP government under the leadership of Narendra Modiji had sanctioned funds for SHGs, FPOs and Clubs in Meghalaya for taking up various activities under different heads and in different fields. However, the funds failed to reach the beneficiaries and the NPP-led state government is answerable to the lapses. Funds are yet to be credited to the accounts of these groups.
Union minister of state John Barla’s visit and inspection of various projects funded by Modi government has been an eye opener to rectify the lapses on the ground. After John Barla, Union Minister of Vetenary and Animal Husbandry will be coming to Garo Hills. Under National Livelihood Mission (NLM) funds have been allotted to SHGs, FPOs and other registered organisations which are now being called to open an account and complete all documentations./
“The frequent visits of the union ministers have compelled the authorities to intiate the process of verifying the accounts and other necessary documents of SHGs, FPOs and Clubs too”, he said.
“BJP at the Centre is well aware of the anomalies in the state on disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries. Even SHGs did not get the schemes under National Livelihood Mission. Union Minister of Vetenary and Animal Husbandry will be visiting Garo Hills. SHGs, Clubs and FPOs can submit their complaints to the union minister”, he said.
