Shillong, Sep 10: Implementation of projects under Smart City Mission has recorded a significant progress with 77.81% overall completion as of July this year.
Informing this in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday, allayed Opposition’s concern over the state lacking in implementation of the Smart City projects.
Raising a query, VPP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit alleged that the government is concentrating only on constructing commercial complexes, which is contrary to the objective of the Smart City project i.e. to improve living conditions, including education and other sectors.
In reply, the minister acknowledged that this might be the case in the first phase but assured that other important projects would be included in the second phase.
Dhar also informed about the installation of open-air gyms at various locations in Shillong, including Governor House, Mawprem, and Laitumkhrah, at a project cost of Rs 5 crore.
On the Polo commercial complex, the Deputy Chief Minister said the complex was inaugurated by Union Finance Minister recently and is now in the process of being operationalised with 109 shops in it.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma asked if any monitoring quality audit had been conducted on the commercial complex at Polo, to which the minister replied that it had been done by the department.
Sangma also raised concern over the alleged huge withdrawal of salaries by the Smart City project CEO, but the minister said he required notice as the information was not available with him.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma clarified that the government had initially gone for a tendering process for the entire building but did not get any bidders. The government is now examining whether to go floor-wise or shop-wise for allotment of stalls.
“So very soon we will be finalising that,” he said.
On the issue of outsourcing the complex instead of engaging directly with unemployed youth, the Chief Minister said the government had to follow procedure and ensure maximum revenue.
However, he assured that the government has multiple projects to address employment issues.
