By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Wednesday faced an embarrassing moment when he asserted in the Assembly that the committee on influx under the chairmanship of Bindo M Lanong is yet to submit its report, and was immediately corrected by officials, after which he changed his statement and said that he had received the report two-three days before the election and was yet to go through the report.
Reacting to a supplementary question from HSPDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit on the recommendation of the committee to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State, Dr Sangma first informed the House that the committee headed by Lanong had not submitted its report.
Later, after being informed about the receipt of the report, the Chief Minister changed his statement, saying that he could not go through the report due to the election model code of conduct.
The Chief Minister also said that the State Government has included the District Administration to be a part of the mechanism to deal with illegal immigrants.
However, Basaiawmoit was not happy with the Chief Minister’s reply and said that he did not believe in constitution of committees.
When asked for a specific timeline to address the issue of influx, the Chief Minister said specific timeline cannot be given as the State Government is still going through the various recommendations of the committee.
“We will ensure that we don’t lose precious time,” Dr Sangma said.
The issue also led to a spat between NPP legislator James Sangma and the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
Sangma sought for a specific timeline by which the Government plans to address the issue of influx.
Dr Sangma replied that he had seen people making promises ten to twenty years back but not doing anything.
Angered with the statement, James Sangma shot back at the Chief Minister, saying, “It is the Congress party which does not do anything.”