Inaudible speeches compel scribes to walk out

SHILLONG: Faulty microphone system, which has become a common problem during the session of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), was also witnessed during the proceedings on Wednesday prompting journalists to stage a walkout.
This is not the first time for the reporters to encounter this problem as KHADC sessions are often punctuated by unwanted microphone problems wherein speeches of MDCs are hardly audible.
Interestingly, the microphone of the ruling MDCs were not working while those of the opposition bench were clearly audible. However, the opposition bench did not raise any objection to the problem.
The journalists walked out during the question hour when the Executive Members (EMs) in charge of various departments replied to queries of the opposition.
It was after three questions that the problem started.
The reply of EM in charge of Trade, Paul Lyngdoh to a supplementary query raised by Congress MDC Grace Kharpuri on Benami practice was hardly audible.
Despite the glaring microphone problem, KHADC Chairman PN Syiem directed Lyngdoh to speak louder.
However, the journalists sitting on the press gallery could not hear Lyngdoh’s replies.
A note was also sent to the Chairman of the KHADC informing about the problem faced by journalists with a request to rectify the problem. However, it fell on deaf ears. The journalists boycott the entire day’s session.
Despite spending a whopping Rs 4.74 crore for the construction of the legislative building, defective sound system was not rectified.
Journalists suggested that the KHADC should repair the defective sound system by setting aside some amount.
The summer session of the KHADC commenced on Tuesday and it will end on Thursday.