Shillong, Oct 16: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said that there has been no situation where developmental works have stopped in the state, and claimed that the present government was working hard to rectify problems created by the past government.

“We are ensuring that there is continuity, and all major projects continue,” Conrad told reporters while responding to a query on allegations made by the Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma that developmental activities in the state have come to a standstill. Mukul also alleged that the state government has failed to submit utilization certificates (UCs) against money released for Central schemes.

The Chief Minister however said it was during the Congress-led government that many UCs were not submitted to the Centre, which the present dispensation tried to rectify and clear the backlogs now.

“If you look at records in the past… it was during their own time and government that many such UCs were not submitted. Under the ministry of tribal affairs from 2015-16 to 2016-17, programmes were not implemented. As a government, now we are trying to rectify all those things that were not completed by the past government,” he said.

“It is inappropriate for others to point fingers when they know themselves what kind of situation they created. The government has really worked hard during the last one and half years. We have been submitting the UCs and clearing the backlogs of the old dispensation with regards to projects under NEC and DoNER ministry. New projects and schemes under the present government are implemented and submitted on time,” the Chief Minister said.

On pending bills to be paid to contractors, the chief minister said that the problem did not happen in the last one year, because many bills which have been lying pending for the past many years.

“There were years in the past where sanctions were done without proper due diligence whether finance was available or not. So all these things have built up and today we are in a position or situation where there are old contracts, old works allotted very conveniently but payments are now on the present government. Therefore as a government it is our duty to look into the problem,” he said.

Conrad said the government also ensured that important projects should not be affected and ensure continuity.

Refusing to comment on the allegation that his government is incompetent, chief minister however said a lot of works have been done in order to ensure that old systems are streamlined and improved the delivery mechanisms.

“Not only that, we are working aggressively to streamline the financial situation that we are facing in term of additional burden (due to the fifth pay). All these aspects are being taken into consideration and lots of efforts have been made to ensure that revenue generation is streamlined. We are getting positive response and hope we will be able to see significant growth in our own state’s revenue,” he said

GVK EMRI issue

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister while commenting on the agitation by employees of GVK EMRI that runs the Ambulance services, said that there was no discussion on the need to take over the emergency services by the government.

He said that in the whole country, emergency service is being run by private sector in a proper manner though some hitches may come in the way and the state government also decided to provide this service through the private sector.

He however said that the state government may examine the proposal on the need to take over the emergency services in the state.

Emergency services across the state were affected after over 200 employees of the ‘108 ambulance service’ went on strike since September 30.

The chief minister said that a lot of people also asked why not the government runs hotels and different organizations. “It is not that we can or we cannot, but we have to take a choice and make a decision,” he said.

On steps to end the stalemate between GVK EMRI and the employees, the chief minister said that the state government has been trying to convince the GVK EMRI authority to discuss with the employees and resolve the problems.

“I also appeal to both the parties to resolve this issue amicably as this is affecting basic services in the state. We have been talking to the GVK and employees as well through different channels to resolve this issue,” he said.