The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday alleged that the General Administration Department has allotted the ground floor of the Meghalaya House, Kolkata to the brother of a cabinet minister Rocky Dhar for business purposes.
VPP general secretary Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon in a statement said, “The VPP is utterly shocked and dismayed at the decision of the GAD (A), Government of Meghalaya to allot the ground floor of the Commercial Complex, Meghalaya House located at Russell Street, Kolkatta to one M/S Rocky Dhar, Nongmynsong, Umkdait Block –III, Shillong -793019 for business purpose.”
Rocky is the younger brother of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
He said it is even shocking to learn that this floor is presently occupied by three government departments/corporations viz Tourist Information Centre under the Directorate of Tourism, Directorate of Horticulture and Meghalaya Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd – Government State Emporium.
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 these various departments on commercial terms.
“Therefore, we fail to understand how the Government which is meant to serve the interest of the people through the various departments would now promote the interest of an individual at the cost of its people whom it is supposed to serve,” Dr Syngkon said.
He also said, “it appears that the present dispensation is all out to serve the interest of some individual not the people who have voted them to serve and not be served. It is understood that after three attempts, the government have finally been able to award the tender to M/S Rocky Dhar and this seriously calls for the government to come out clear as to how changes have been made in the terms and conditions to now favour this individual businessman or firm to ensure that he gets the ground floor.”