Comingone wants agriculture portfolio to improve farming

SHILLONG: The new minister, Comingone Ymbon, wants to improve the plight of farmers and hence he will request Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to allot the agriculture portfolio.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Friday, Ymbon said, “Over 80 percent of the population are farmers and in my constituency too majority of the residents are into farming.”
According to Ymbon, the main problem being faced by farmers is inadequate marketing facilities.
“I will engage experts to help farmers to market their produce,” Ymbon said.
To a question, Ymbon said it is not the first time that he was offered ministership.
“The chief minister had told me in 2014 that Sniawbhalang Dhar and I would share the ministry two-and-a-half years each,” he said. Though it is the fag end of the current term before the state goes to polls early on 2018, Ymbon said despite having limited time, he will make use of the remaining months for the development initiatives.
When asked if it is the wrong time to induct him as a minister, Ymbon said it is the right time as he can show his performance to the people of his constituency and the State.
“I don’t want to talk much now as four months’ time is very short. I will try to do my best for the state with the cooperation and blessings of the chief minister as without his blessings, I cannot do anything,” he told reporters.
Another newly inducted minister, Celestine Lyngdoh, also said though it is just six months away from the next election, this will not deter him from working for the people because “everyday counts”.
Lyngdoh said his priority would be to find out the problems that the departments assigned to him are facing.
When asked if his induction in the Cabinet would restrict him from focusing on his constituency, Lyngdoh said he has been given the opportunity to expand his capability to handle things.