TURA: The three-day budget session of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) started off on a sticky note for the ruling NPP-led Executive Committee with the opposition Congress alliance surprising the treasury bench by tabling a no-confidence motion on Wednesday afternoon.
The three-day budget session had taken off with Executive Member in-charge of Finance Sengnal N Sangma (NPP) reading out from a 12-page budget speech highlighting the works undertaken by Dipul Marak-led NPP alliance in the GHADC.
However, the ruling benches were caught off guard when, shortly after completion of the budget speech, the opposition Congress moved the no-confidence motion citing six points to pin down the executive committee.
Congress MDC from Siju, Kenedick S Marak, moved the no-confidence motion and as many as eight other opposition MDCs signed the motion to take on the NPP alliance which is currently ruling with a clear majority.
The no-confidence motion accused Dipul Marak-led Executive Committee of mismanagement of the council funds and resources, its inability to pay staff salaries, failure to protect the interests of the indigenous people, failure to protest and preserve the land and property of the GHADC, illegal and irregular sale and settlement of the bazar haats in Garo Hills and absence of strategy, progress and policies of the current dispensation.
The GHADC authorities have so far failed to clear salaries of its employees for 19 months.
Besides Kenedick Marak, the no-confidence was signed by Sadhiarani M Sangma (Cong), Winnison Ch Marak (GNC), Stevie Marak (Cong), Jimberth R Marak (GNC), Rupert M Sangma (Cong), Ismail Marak (Cong), Boston Marak (GNC) and Mark Goera B Marak (Cong).
The motion is scheduled to be taken up for debate and voting in the house on Thursday by Chairman of the GHADC Denang T Sangma.
Recovering from the shock lobbed by the Congress, NPP leaders exuded confidence the no-confidence would be defeated by a voice vote in the house.
In a House of thirty members (one nominated), NPP alliance has a majority with 21 MDCs on its side, including the nominated member. The opposition Congress alliance is down to just nine MDCs.