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.
