Shillong, Apr 27: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement on Monday alleged that an Assam-based manpower firm, NESS, continues to participate in government tenders despite being blacklisted by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council for violating trading regulations.

Citing a press statement issued by the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said the council had blacklisted the firm under the provisions of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954.

“As per the press statement of the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, it is informed that the KHADC have blacklisted NESS… because they have violated the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation 1954,” Passah stated.

He further noted that the firm’s trading licence linked to a contract at KV Laitkor had also been revoked.

“It was also informed that the Trading Licence issued to this firm for a contract work at KV Laitkor was also revoked,” he added.

Despite this, KHNAM claimed that the firm remains active in the tendering process across departments.

“However, we have received information that this firm is still actively taking part in tenders published by various departments,” Passah alleged.

The party further claimed that NESS has recently qualified in the technical stage of a tender process.

“Currently this firm has participated and has also qualified in the tender published by KV, Shillong Peak,” he said.

KHNAM stated that it has formally taken up the matter with the KHADC authorities and urged immediate action to ensure enforcement of the blacklist order.

“We have officially intimated this to the KHADC CEM, hoping that immediate action is taken against this firm,” the party added.