Voice of the People Party pushes for local business preference and backs NEET protest in Meghalaya

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) in Meghalaya lodged a representation with the state Transport Commissioner urging a revision of the Request for Proposal for the proposed Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility and Automated Testing Station at Sumer. The party argued that the current financial eligibility thresholds – an average annual turnover of Rs 4 crore and a solvency certificate of Rs 2.5 crore – would bar many indigenous entrepreneurs, and it called for preference to be given to local cooperative societies and joint ventures with substantial local ownership. It also sought mandatory compliance with Autonomous District Council licences and other local approvals to ensure fair competition and employment benefits for the state’s indigenous population.

Separately, VPP representatives and the North‑Eastern Hill University Students’ Union expressed solidarity with nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. VPP spokesperson AW Rani said the movement was about protecting public institutions from corruption, nepotism and political interference, stating, “To the VPP, this protest is not confined only to the alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations. It is all about protecting public institutions…”. The party condemned the use of force against demonstrators and urged dialogue, while the students’ union called for accountability from the Union Education Minister and demanded a peaceful gathering on campus.