SHILLONG: The Opposition Congress is looking to corner the MDA government on several issues during the Budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly beginning Friday.
However, buoyed by the formation of executive committees in both KHADC and JHADC, the MDA government is ready to tackle the attack of the Opposition.
Though the Opposition is poised to raise varied shortcomings of the government, including the lack of initiatives to address financial crunch, the latter will highlight the achievements of the MDA, which completed one year in office on March 6.
The session will open with the Governor’s address while the Budget estimates will be tabled on March 13. The passing of the full budget will be taken up on March 22, the last day of the session before the state prepares for the Lok Sabha polls.
Congress legislator and spokesperson HM Shangpliang said the party will raise the issue of border dispute with Assam and especially the recent instance at Langpih, adding that the government has become very irresponsive to the crucial issue.
In addition, the party would also raise issues pertaining to education, roads and communication.
According to Shangpliang, the party would also bring up the matter of delay in setting up of entry and exit points and the apprehension over and fallout of NRC updation in Assam.
“We will also raise issues such as lack of manpower and amenities in the health department,” he said
The Opposition will seek clarity on the stand of the NPP led government on the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the measures to check influx.
A government source said that the amended Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act, which will be a means to check influx, will be brought in the Assembly.
The government may also make a reply on the status of the operations at Ksan mine to recover the bodies of the miners trapped inside the illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district since December 13.
The ruling is also expected to table the report of the judicial inquiry commission into the firing incident in North Garo Hills which resulted in injuries to three villagers in March 2017.
The cabinet recently approved many of the recommendations of the commission. There would be 10 working days, including eight days of government business and two days of private members’ business.
Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy said though only two days were allotted to the private members’ business, time can be extended from 2 pm every day as and when the need arises.
