SHILLONG, January 7, 2026: The Meghalaya State Council of Contractors & Suppliers Welfare Association (MSCCSWA) has submitted a memorandum to the Executive Engineer of the Health & Engineering Wings Department, Government of Meghalaya, demanding transparent allocation of works through district-wise tender splitting to ensure fair participation of local contractors.
The memorandum, signed by MSCCSWA Central Body President Banshai Marbaniang and Secretary Rofello Khongwar, expressed strong resentment over the alleged continued exclusion of local Hynniewtrep contractors from works under the department.
According to the association, despite multiple tender invitations issued over the past two years, not a single work has been awarded to capable local contractors. The MSCCSWA said this has raised serious concerns regarding transparency, procedural fairness, and alleged favouritism towards non-local contractors and politically backed agencies.
The association stated that several local contractors meet all eligibility requirements and possess proven technical as well as financial capacity, yet continue to receive no work allocation. It warned that such practices deprive indigenous citizens of rightful economic opportunities and undermine constitutional safeguards meant to protect Scheduled Tribes in Meghalaya.
Among its key demands, the MSCCSWA called for mandatory district-wise splitting of tenders to facilitate the participation of small and medium local contractors, 100 per cent transparent and merit-based allocation of works, and a complete ban on political interference or favouritism in awarding contracts. It also demanded strict verification of District Council trading licences of non-local bidders and the adoption of proportional eligibility criteria.
The association further sought detailed clarification from the department, including disclosure of all tenders issued in the last two years, names and domicile status of contractors awarded works, bid values, and minutes of tender evaluation committee meetings along with reasons for selections.
The MSCCSWA urged the department to issue a corrective order within seven days and convene a meeting with the association’s leadership within ten days. Warning of serious consequences, it stated that failure to address the issues would compel the association to pursue legal remedies, public agitations, and representations to higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and District Councils.
