SHILLONG:
The Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC), hired by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) to prepare the party’s campaign for the 2023 assembly polls in Meghalaya, has been accused of not clearing its vehicle rental payments exceeding Rs 10 Lakhs.
Requesting anonymity, a local commercial vehicle owner informed The Meghalayan that the company’s vendor, one Manoj Trading from Bihar, had engaged him to arrange vehicles for IPAC officials both in Shillong and Tura regions since December 2021.
“However, till date, only Rs 1 Lakh has been transferred and that too yesterday (March 3). They are also refusing to pay for the extra kilometres travelled, with which the amount comes to Rs 1.27 lakh,” the distressed owner informed.
He added that they had paid him previously through two cheques, but both bounced. “Previously, they paid me through two cheques drawn on Bank of India, Patna, Bihar branch for Rs 4.64 lakh and Rs 2 lakh on January 25 and February 14, respectively, but both have returned due to insufficient funds,” the distressed owner informed, displaying the bounced cheques.
He said that he is being hounded everyday by other vehicle drivers who are being harassed by their owners for no fault of theirs.
“Now, they (IPAC) have simply changed the vehicles and owners. From March 2 they are taking vehicles from another group of drivers,” the owner rued.
As per information, the total amount due for some part of December 2021 and whole of January and February is Rs 6.89 lakh for Shillong region and Rs 8.33 lakh for Garo Hills.
“They said they will pay by Saturday but we don’t know it for sure. We can only pray for it to happens,” he said.