Shillong, June 8: Meghalaya is trying to promote its tourism sector in a big way and plans are afoot to invite big names in the Indian tourism industry to run some of its major projects. The director of Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), H. Shangpliang, said big names like Oberoi, Welcomgroup, Taj and even Le Meridian could soon be a part of the Crowborough hotel and multiplex project. He said the response from these groups had been “very good” and the state government was keen on privatising some of its key tourism promotion units.
Shangpliang said some other MTDC-run projects like the Orchid Lake Resort at Umiam would also be handed over to private groups. The corporation has already decided to invite well-known private parties to run the resort’s bar and kitchen.
Other major projects like reviving water sports at Umiam, setting up kiosks at Cherrapunjee, beautification of Thadleiskien Lake (Jaintia hills) and Orchid Hotel at Polo with private parties’ participation are on the anvil.
“The demand from both domestic and foreign tourists is increasing and I have to ensure that I provide good and efficient service,” Shangpliang said.
He added that “local interests would be taken care of and the existing staff accommodated in the hospitality sector”.
Chief minister D.D. Lapang and tourism department officials have been indicating that they were sincerely hoping to clean some of the mess the tourism projects had landed in and convert the state’s tourism potential into an industry.
Shangpliang said the MTDC Board and SA Builders (now SAB Industries) have agreed to an out-of-court settlement on the Crowborough hotel project and the matter was now awaiting the approval of the cabinet, which is expected to meet on June 10 to finalise the settlement.
The MTDC’s Crowborough project was mired in controversies midway through its construction and eventually stalled. After several years of court battle with the then SA Builders, the Meghalaya government agreed to an out-of-court settlement. The MTDC has agreed to pay a compensation of Rs 2.5 crore and not Rs 3 crore as was demanded.
Crowborough was one of the nine cases enlisted by the government for CBI inquiry. Considered one of the biggest scams in the state, a lot of questions still remain unanswered and till today those responsible for the mess have not been brought to book.
Another case with the Astha Construction Company was settled for over Rs 1 crore by the United Democratic Party-led E.K. Mawlong government. It was the second firm to have been allotted the construction work of Crowborough.
However, Shangpliang is confident that the issue would be settled satisfactorily. “Everything is working as per plan and there is no need to fear as our decision to call in big groups to help us run some of our hotels and tourist interest projects has been done with professional consultation,” he added.
The state government has appointed the Indian Tourism Development Corporation as its official consultant and it is believed that the latter was instrumental in guiding the MTDC to settle the Crowborough dispute.