By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Controversy over government decision to create three new districts dominated the House on Monday with Opposition trying to needle the government over reported spat between Chief Minister and his Deputy from West Khasi Hills.
Likening the relationship of the Chief Minister with his Cabinet Ministers that of husband and wife, Opposition Llader Conrad K Sangma has stated that Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has cheated his wives by not taking them into confidence while taking a major decision like creation of the three new districts.
“I have been informed that the Chief Minister has not consulted his Cabinet Ministers who are like his wives while taking such a major decision. He (Dr Mukul) has cheated on his wives by keeping them in the dark on the creation of three new districts,” Sangma said while moving an amendment to the Governor’s address during the second day of the Budget Session in the Assembly here on Monday.
He said that he think that the Cabinet Ministers should seek a divorce from their husband (Chief Minister) for being cheated.
However, Opposition leader have also raised an objection over the decision of the Chief Minister to make an announcement of such a major policy decision for creation of the new districts outside the House when the session is still on.
“I strongly feel that he (Chief Minister) could have made this announcement on the floor of the House,” Sangma said. He also criticized the Chief Minister for not conducting a detailed study before announcing the creation of the three new districts.
Sangma also expressed his surprise to the reply of the Chief Minister to a query of the media persons that they have constituted a task force to look into the financial requirement of this whole exercise. “I fail to understand how the Chief Minister could make such an important announcement without knowing the total expenditure which would be required in the whole process. The Government should also have conducted a detailed analysis on the human resources and infrastructure which would be required for creation of the three new districts,” the Opposition leader said. He said if the Chief Minister feels it is only an up gradation then why only three then be more Sub-Divisions should be upgraded into districts. The Government should also think of upgrading Sohra, Mawkyrwat and other Sub-Division into a district, Sangma said while adding that he is sure that the Government would complete this exercise by laying of a foundation stone or by removing the Civil Sub-Division Sign Board and replacing it with a Deputy Commissioner’s office. “I would not like to see the same thing is being repeated like in South Garo Hills. Till now, the Deputy Commissioner office is operating from an old Assam type building which earlier houses the Baghmara Civil Sub-Division office,” Sangma said. He however suggested that if the Government is really serious for creation of a new districts then they should constitute a delimitation committee where the members of the ruling and opposition, stakeholders and NGOs which would discuss on the pros and cons for creation of the new district. “I would want to request Dr Sangma to be a ‘Chief Minister not a Cheap Minister” by making major policy announcement for his own political mileage without going into the merits of the whole issue,” the Opposition leader said. Sangma also expressed his disappointment that the Government has overlooked the interest of the people of West Khasi Hills by not considering of giving them another district.
“I personally feel that West Khasi Hills which is the biggest district deserves to get another district for the overall interest of the people of the area,” Opposition leader added.