SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges between Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and Opposition leader, Mukul Sangma over a resolution moved by the Ampati MLA, Miani D Shira, to urge the Union Government  to restore relevant section of the   Regional Rural Bank Act  wherein the proficiency  in local language should remain as essential pre- qualification   for employment  in Meghalaya Rural Bank.

The Assembly witnessed  heated arguments when Chief  Minister, Conrad Sangma  while taking a cue from a statement of Mukul Sangma during discussion said that   the issue should not be politicised  and he did not want a blame game on the issue as the government had already taken up the matter with  the Union Government.

He also said that if the Opposition was so concerned over the issue, a resolution against the move should have been passed by the previous Assembly

Later, Mukul Sangma stood up and sought the date as to when the letter was written by the Chief Secretary to the Union Government  and he was accordingly informed that the letter was written  in April this year.

The Chief Minister also said that the  Opposition which was   trying to politicise the issue, kept quiet when  the Central Government amended the new recruitment rule way back in  March 2017 and

Later, Chief Minister said that  the matter was taken up by the previous government  and when the Centre was not responsive, is it not right for  the State Government  to take up the matter aggressively

The Chief  Minister also complained that the Opposition  leader is not allowing him to reply to the   resolution and both exchanged some heated words

As the situation heated up, senior Opposition leader, Charles Pyngrope stood up  and advised both the leaders to calm down saying he was elder to both of them and like their big brothers.

Earlier,  while  replying to the Motion, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma  said that it was in  2017 when Central Government came out with   a new rule under which candidates   selected to work in regional rural banks were given a period of 6 months to learn the local language.

Admitting that the new rule is affecting the job prospects of   local people,  the Chief Minister added  the decision of the Union Government on the matter was final

He also said that the matter had been taken up with the Union Government with a request to amend the rules but there was no response as of now.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma also took a dig at the Central Government saying their move is affecting the job prospects of  the youths of  the state and the region.