Chaos over Mukul’s tourism project reply in House
The Assembly on Friday witnessed noisy scenes over the long reply given by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on tourism projects from the year 2000.
In reply to a supplementary question by Saleng Sangma (Independent), Chief Minister Mukul Sangma touched upon various tourism projects, but Opposition Leader Donkupar Roy and NCP legislator James Sangma stood up quoting the rules and asked the Chief Minister to place the reply in the House since it is too long and a waste of time.
However, the Chief Minister insisted that since he has already prepared the answer, he should be allowed to carry on with the reply.
“Moreover, once the question is admitted, it is the property of the House,” he added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong supported the Chief Minister and argued that not allowing him to continue with the reply will set a bad precedence.
At one point of time, Saleng Sangma said that since the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was wasting time, the Chief Minister can carry on with his reply.
As the differences continued, the Speaker ruled that the next question will be taken up.
The curious case of missing CGI sheets
A certain number of CGI sheets meant to be distributed to beneficiaries from 1998-99 to 2008-2009 are still missing.
Investigation is still on to trace the CGI sheets meant to be distributed from 1998-99 to 2009. This was informed to the House by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday.
In reply to questions by Embhahlang Syiemlieh (UDP) in this regard the Chief Minister said that 500 beneficiaries did not receive the CGI sheets measuring 150 metric tonnes though the sanction was accorded by the Government from 1998-99 to 2008-09.
Replying to a supplementary question, the Chief Minister informed that as per official record 53 beneficiaries received CGI sheets during 2009-10. However, Syiemlieh claimed that 53 beneficiaries from Mawlai constituency did not receive the CGI sheets.
Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) said that in Mairang too several families did not receive the CGI sheets. The legislator added that the then Housing Minister had assured in the House that the beneficiaries will receive the CGI sheets.
The Chief Minister, meanwhile, informed that in several parts of the State the beneficiaries had not lifted the CGI sheets.
Mawlai By-pass
PWD Minister (Roads) Sniawbhalang Dhar hoped that the proposed Mawlai by-pass under Umsning Division will reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Replying to a supplementary question by Embhahlang Syiemlieh (UDP), the Minister said that the project was allotted on January 19 and is scheduled to be completed within 24 months.
“Once completed, the project will ease traffic congestion especially in Mawlai,” he said.
Swine flu
Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek informed the Assembly that health centers in the State are not equipped with testing facilities to detect H1N1 (swine flu).
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP).