Shillong, Sept 12:The conflicting versions about the state’s financial health as reflected in the CAG report and claims by the state government – after the revelation of the CAG report – have raised concern in many quarters.
A letter to chief minister Conrad Sangma by pressure group Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council-Central Executive Council (HYC-CEC) has sought to know as to who should the people believe – the state government or the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the state assembly.
“As citizens of the state we are in a serious dilemma,” said HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem while asking if they should believe in the words of the chief minister that Meghalaya would be a USD 10-billion economy by 2028 or that of CAG report warning the state of falling into a “debt trap” to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore.
Referring to the CM’s statement that most loans taken by the state government were interest-free loans for 50 years, the HYC made it clear that “loans are not grants and have to be repaid with or without interest within a stipulated time”.
Synrem asserted that “loans cannot be taken without collateral” and sought to know the “collateral given against these loans”.
“As citizens we are entitled to know as to how the loans have accumulated to such a colossal amount,” the letter said.
Citing use of public money for programmes such as festivals, which are “not fruitful and did not generate wealth for the state,” the HYC also slammed the government for other “unproductive activities” such as appointment of countless political appointees, consultants, etc., while wondering if the loan amounts were used in such activities.
“Moreover, we have witnessed cost escalation in various projects such as Saubhagya Scheme, construction of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building and others,” stated the letter.
Referring to CAG report pointing out the government’s failure in recovering public money in the form of tax, cess, royalty, fees, etc., the HYC alleged that the government had waived taxes of certain categories of private individuals and companies such as VAT for petrol pumps owners and electricity bills for factories.
The HYC termed it a peculiar case wherein the government “takes a lot of loans but still offers freebies to companies and a few privileged individuals.
The letter also questioned if the loans are being used for running public undertakings and corporations which have turned into “white elephants” as revealed in the CAG report.
Meanwhile, the HYC letter also sought to know if, in case of bifurcation of the state due to growing demand for Garoland, the entire burden of repaying these loans would fall on the “parent state” (Khasi-Jaintia Hills)?
