The Finance Minister, Mr D D Lapang, while winding up the general discussion on the budget, referred to the PHE affairs and said “we are equally concerned.” He made it clear that the culprits would be dealt with strongly. Mr Lapang also assured that the State Govt was going to take such steps so that similar lapses did not recur.
In his 45-minute reply to the depleted discussion on the budget speech, Mr Lapang referred to the boycott by the Opposition and remarked that it was very unfortunate the that House was deprived of suggestions and views of the members belonging to opposition. He hoped that their participation during the next session would be forthcoming. He sought the cooperation of the Members in this regard.
He described the Meghalaya Assembly as a “model legislature” in the country. As responsible leaders of the State, the ruling side was making every effort to attain full-fledged development of the State.
Mr Lapang referred to the current year’s central allocation for the state and said that there was an increase of 15% over the previous year. He hoped that the Eighth Finance Commission which had lately submitted its report to the Union Govt. would take into account the special needs of Meghalaya.