SHILLONG: The Opposition parties are in no mood to move a no-confidence motion either against the State Government or the chief minister in the upcoming budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly starting from March 3.
In the past, several no-confidence motions were moved against the chief minister and the speaker, but they were either defeated or withdrawn.
UDP General Secretary Jemino Mawthoh said the party has no plans to bring any no-confidence motion since elections in the State are just a year away.
He also said the party would meet on Tuesday to decide on issues to be raised during the budget session.
Uranium mining row
HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit echoed Mawthoh stating that his party does not wish to bring any no confidence against the Government or the CM.
He, however, said that the party will raise the issue of uranium mining besides the observation of December 25 as “Good Governance Day” during the session.
Power, water scarcity
NPP leader James Sangma said the party will raise the issue of unnecessary power outages in the State, besides bringing up the acute shortage of water supply in Shillong and other places.
He too said bringing a no-confidence motion was not in the party’s mind this time. “Last year, we had moved a no-confidence motion as the Government was trying to dodge all the issues by keeping very little time for discussion in the assembly,” he recalled.
“However, it (not moving a no-confidence motion) does not mean that we have faith in the government. It (the government) has failed in all fronts, including development, peace and security,” he said. “We will also expose the false promises made by the chief minister in terms of inauguration of the new district since these districts, except Ampati, have no infrastructure even after five years of inauguration,” Sangma said.
Jemino to raise Leshka issue in House
UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh has decided to raise the issue of the flash flood that caused damage to Myntdu Leshka Hydro Power Project in the upcoming budget session.
The MLA recalled that a committee was formed a few years ago to study the power problems in the State and all major projects were inspected.
The committee had submitted an 11-page report to the State Government. “I will raise the issue in the Assembly as we need justifications from the Government on the power sector,” he said.
Several equipment worth Rs 2 crore were damaged when a flash flood hit the project on February 22 following continuous rain in Jaintia Hills. The project has been stopped and efforts are on to repair the damages.