By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: HSPDP MDC from Mawkyrwat, Enbin K Raswai, has questioned the allocation of funds for development of fishery ponds when the Council for the past many years has not been able to sell even a single fish.
“I am not convinced on the decision of the Executive Committee to continue to allocate funds for development of fish ponds. I cannot recall a single instance since 1979 where the Council has been able to sell a single fish through these fish ponds,” Raswai said while participating during the general discussion on the Vote of Account for the period from April 1 to June 30 on the final day of the budget session here on Thursday.
Raswai said there should be some positive outcomes when the EC decides to allocate funds for the construction of the fish ponds.
Raswai’s comment came after Executive Member in charge of Fisheries department, Ostril Pamshong, informed that the Council has allocated an amount of Rs 26 lakh for construction of fish ponds at Lai Lad, Ri-Bhoi district.
Stating that the work for construction of the fish pond has been allocated to one John Thabah, who was the lowest bidder for the tender which was called by the department, Pamshong informed that out of the total fund earmarked for the project, an amount of Rs 10 lakh has already been spent.
Earlier, during the Question Hour, Mawkhar UDP MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit also raised objections to this decision for construction of this fish pond.
“I am shocked at the decision to construct the third fish pond at Lai Lad especially when they have not been able to utilize the other two fish ponds constructed earlier in the same area,” Basaiawmoit said.
He said this is a total waste of scarce funds as the fish ponds are not yielding anything.
