Silchar, June 14: Goldighi Municipal Mall, one of the major attractions of this town, is in the vortex of controversy again as allegations have been raised against the chairperson of the Silchar Municipal Board, Niharendra Narayan Tagore, for provi-ding Rs 25 lakh illegally to the mall management committee.
Ranjan Roy, president of Adarsh, an NGO, and a board member, told this correspondent that Tagore had given the amount to the committee without calling any board meeting.
He added that Tagore also did not take any suggestion or approval from any board member.
As per Assam Municipal Act, it is mandatory that if any municipal board wants to spend more than Rs 5,000, the board members' approval is mandatory.
Roy questioned the need for providing Rs 25 lakh to the mall management committee as the committee earns enough revenue from the mall and is capable of generating funds for its development or repair work.
He also alleged although the municipal board receives huge revenues as rent from shops in Fatak Bazar, the biggest market in Silchar, and New Market, it did not take any step for their development till date. He added that whenever the board members enquired about any financial matters related to the board, Tagore evaded their queries.
Sources said the committee earns revenue from common area maintenance, parking, advertisements and others.
On June 12, Roy wrote to Tagore, seeking clarifications regarding the decision to give Rs 25 lakh to the mall committee.
Tagore told this correspondent that the mall, like other establishments such as Gandhi Bhawan and Gandhi Park, is a property of the municipal board and the board can provide financial help whenever needed.
He said the amount had been provided from municipal funds and "there is no need to make it an issue".
When asked why he did not call any board meeting, Tagore said there was no need of any such meeting.
He declined comment to further queries.
Nearly two months back, Adarsh had brought the matter of illegal construction on the mall to light.
