SHILLONG : A day after Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh responded to allegations regarding the council’s tax collection gates, leaders of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) attempted to meet him on Wednesday to discuss the matter further.
The issue surfaced after KHNAM sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the functioning of KHADC’s tax collection gates.
According to KHNAM, its delegation had planned to meet the CEM on the afternoon of August 5 to present its views and seek clarification. However, the meeting could not take place as the CEM was engaged in an urgent official meeting.
Speaking to reporters, KHNAM Working President Thomas Pasah said that while the CEM had stated through the media that the KHADC had already invited applications for operating the tax collection gates, the party believes that such contracts should not be awarded through applications or public notices.
Pasah said KHNAM’s demand is that the council should adopt a transparent process by issuing open tenders for the operation of tax collection gates. According to him, inviting tenders would ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all eligible applicants.
He said the party hopes to meet the CEM at the earliest to formally convey its position and discuss the matter in detail.