Ronnie-Naik stand-off on SPTS reaches CM

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday took note of the threat of defamation suit against Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh by former principal secretary in charge of the concerned department P. Naik following a stand-off between the duo over the running of buses and maxi taxis.
Naik, who retired as additional chief secretary earlier this year, is currently employed by the government to streamline various rules framed by the State.
Lyngdoh said the chief minister took cognizance of Naik’s stand and assured the minister that he would deal with the matter at his level.
On the demand of UDP for an independent probe into the matter, the minister said he was waiting for the arrival of the department’s senior official who is out of station, to discuss about the appropriate steps.
Earlier, the minister had questioned Naik’s role in entrusting the NGOs to run the buses and maxi taxis.
However, Naik’s stand was that there was no reason to blame him since the decisions were endorsed by the committee headed by the chief secretary. He had also pointed that MUDA headed by the minister as executive chairperson should have taken corrective steps in the past if there was anything wrong.