MLA jumps to James’ defence

SHILLONG, July 8: Standing up for Power Minister James Sangma, Phulbari legislator SG Esmatur Mominin has accused the Congress leaders of targeting the only minister from Garo Hills, save the chief minister, by alleging “baseless” scams.
“In Garo Hills, there are 24 MLAs and we have only one minister apart from the chief minister. That only minister from Garo Hills is trying hard to improve the functioning of his department but Opposition leaders always demand his removal by alleging baseless scams,” Mominin told reporters on Thursday.
The statement from the Phulbari MLA comes at a time when James continues to draw flak over alleged irregularities in the MeECL. It may be mentioned that Congress leaders, especially Zenith Sangma, has been vocal in condemning such irregularities.
Lamenting that the departments of Home, Food Supply and District Council Affairs were “taken away” from James, Mominin said, “It is a matter of shame that James Sangma, who is working for the betterment of the department, is being targeted”.
He said the Congress leaders are there just to hurl criticisms on the government.
Contending that the Opposition should be made aware of the fact that the MeECL has its own Board of Directors for taking independent decisions, the MLA said, “After complaints of irregularities, the government did not sit idle and removed the CMD and even instituted an independent inquiry commission which indicates that the government is trying its best to improve the functioning of the Corporation.”
“It, however, seems that the Congress does not have patience to wait and watch,” he added.
Asking the Congress to be more responsible, the MLA also accused the Opposition leaders of objecting every initiative of the state government “for the betterment of the people and the state”.