The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya has accused the Congress and National People’s Party (NPP) of deliberately stalling the implementation of the Agreed Text for Settlement (ATS), a crucial agreement signed in 2014 under the BJP-led central government.

BJP Tura MDC and state vice president, Bemard N. Marak, recently raised the issue with former Home Minister Rajnath Singh, alleging that while the BJP-led central government finalized the ATS within six months, the Congress government in the state allowed it to stagnate for over a decade. Marak further accused the NPP, which is now in power, of following in Congress’ footsteps and failing to fulfill the commitments outlined in the agreement.

According to Marak, the ATS was meant to empower the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the state by transferring control over 13 departments, but this has not been done. He also claimed that there has been no financial support or meetings in the past five years, describing this as a betrayal of the tribal people of Meghalaya.

Additionally, Marak accused the state government of misusing funds allocated for the ADCs. He claimed that contractors have misappropriated funds, resulting in incomplete and duplicated projects, leaving the ADCs unable to submit proper utilization certificates.

Marak stressed that the BJP’s goal is to empower local governance and ensure direct funding from the Centre. He criticized the Congress and NPP for sabotaging the agreement, while benefiting from funds sanctioned by the central government.

The BJP has vowed to present a detailed report on the incomplete projects, fund mismanagement, and delays in implementing the agreement to central leaders. Marak also highlighted the delay in the 125th amendment to the Sixth Schedule, attributing it to the state government’s reluctance to act.