Shillong: KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh is fighting back against claims of backroom deals. He insists the council used a transparent process to issue work orders for 11 new trade check gates. The council move aims to stop illegal collections and fix revenue leaks that have drained the treasury for years.
Lyngdoh addressed reporters on Tuesday after the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement accused the council of bypassing public tenders. He claims the party relied on flawed information from an RTI request. The council says it posted public notices for all 11 gates. Five of these units now sit in West Khasi Hills to replace sites long plagued by unauthorized activity. "The purpose of these check gates is to curb illegal collections and prevent revenue leakages. For years, revenue that should have accrued to the council was being lost through unauthorised operations," Lyngdoh said.
The current system is a trial. The council plans to audit the gates once the lease expires to decide their future. But critics aren't buying the explanation. KHNAM working president Thomas Passah demanded a formal Notice Inviting Tender system published in newspapers. He argues that posting notices on office boards lacks accountability.
The party has pushed for reform since the previous administration. Passah highlighted that the council leased eight gates in 2021-22, nine in 2023-24, and 11 in 2026-27. He also flagged a lack of financial detail in the documents. No revenue amounts appear in any issued work order. KHNAM plans to grill the CEM during a scheduled meeting this coming Monday. The dispute centers on whether the council truly stopped illegal operations or simply put a stamp of approval on them.
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