4 call attention motions, illegal mining to dominate spl session

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will take up several issues concerning the state on Tuesday.
An official source said on Monday that four call attention motions which will be taken up during the session are weak healthcare sector, alleged corruption in the Health Department over purchase of drugs, poor financial position of the state and the MDA’s weighbridge policy.
The source added that under the short duration discussion, the issues to be taken up are law and order, which will also cover the assault of activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma over the coal issue, entry and exit points and the projects from NEC related to establishing colleges in the state.
On the part of the government, the resolution on Khasi-Garo language recognition, amendment to education bill and constitution of a new committee on environment will be taken up.
Earlier, during the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, opposition leader Mukul Sangma had sought three days instead of one-day special session.
However, the BAC agreed to admit the issues to be raised by the opposition members during the special session though it is for a day.
Talking to media persons after the CLP meeting on Monday, leader of the opposition Mukul Sangma said the opposition will focus on the prevailing law and order, sense of insecurity and the misuse of government machinery.
The opposition will also talk about several projects under Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources and North East Council which have not taken off despite necessary approvals. “This is because the Union government has asked the northeastern states to keep those projects on hold,” he said.
Illegal immigration is another issue in focus. Sangma said the government was not aware of the background of the problem and was creating confusion and letting people demand for inner line permit.
The opposition will also attack the goverment for shielding criminals in the activists’ assault case.