Tynsong cautions about misinformation on state facing ‘high debt’
Shillong, April 18: The state government has maintained that it is open to talks with the Green Tech Foundation (GTF), whose leaders are on a hunger strike demanding for scrapping of the proposed five-star Taj Umiam Resort & Spa and 60-year lease agreement of Lumpongdeng island for the tourism project.
The government’s response, as declared by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, comes a day after the GTF chairman was hospitalised after several days of taking part in the indefinite hunger strike.
Referring to GTF’s decision to carry on the hunger strike amid government’s clarification that the no construction will be carried out on the island, Tynsong said, “We have seen that the Green Tech Foundation leaders are still continuing their protest. We also cannot force them (to withdraw). But as a government, I want to tell you that our door is always open for dialogue.
The Deputy Chief Minister refuted the allegation that government wants to sell the land of the island.
“There are now many allegations that the government wants to sell the land. You all know the project is coming up on government land, but if there is any concern, we are ready to clarify,” Tynsong said while addressing at the inaugural function of projects worth over 100 crore at Wahiajer in West Jaintia Hills district.
Referring to the MoU signed in this regard, he said, “We signed the MoU in a very transparent manner. It is available on the website, and conditions have been laid down.”
He made an appeal for embracing tourism initiatives to boost the state’s economy and sustainable livelihood, saying, “I urge all citizens of the state to work together so that Shillong and Meghalaya become one of the most preferred tourist destinations where visitors come and spend their holidays.”
Meanwhile, Tynsong cautioned against misinformation, saying, “We have seen all-round development in the state. But if there are those who try to mislead the people, I feel a project that should have been completed in one or two years will take more time.”
On governance, he said, “The government is very interested in partnering with citizens and communities for the development of the state. I will not deny that sometimes there are lapses in the quality of work. Therefore, we need people to give suggestions to ensure that projects benefit the people and the state as a whole.”
Rejecting claims about state having huge debt, he said, “Even in Delhi, they say Meghalaya is one of the most progressive states in the country. There are those who try to mislead people by saying that development projects in the state are based on loans. They make it sound convincing, but trust me, do not believe such misleading allegations by vested interests.”
“The fact is that there is a yardstick for every state — we cannot cross the borrowing limit, and there are fixed timelines to repay loans as per the Finance Ministry’s guidelines,” he added.
