SHILLONG, May 17: Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is recognised as the hub of education in the Northeast, which according to Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma should be the state’s unique selling point (USP) instead of it being identified as a ‘gambling destination’.
This statement was made by the Opposition leader in a scathing attack on the state government over its move to legalise gambling in the state which could put a dent on the state’s reputation of being a centre for education.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Mukul said Meghalaya as a whole has had the legacy of being a centre of education and a favoured tourist destination. “I will be disturbed when someone tells me that Meghalaya is known for gambling,” he said.
On government’s claims that the residents of the state will not be allowed to partake in gambling activities, Mukul said that these statements are indicative of the fact that these places are not good for people to go.
The Opposition leader went on to allege that the Meghalaya government wants to compromise with the neighbour’s way of life.
“Assam chief minister should have reacted when they said that these activities are for outside residents. Then what is going to happen to the families in Guwahati?” Sangma said.
Reminding that many parents from other states send their children to Meghalaya to pursue their studies, Sangma said the government’s move will deter parents from sending their children to the state for education.
Making it clear that the opposition wants the government to terminate the contract signed with a firm for making gambling operational in the state, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader said,
“We don’t want Meghalaya to be infamous by becoming a destination for gambling and all associate vices and unacceptable activities”.
In what can be dubbed as the opposition’s confidence to win the upcoming polls, Sangma said if the government does not terminate the agreement, the AITC will do the job after the 2023 Assembly polls.
Meanwhile, suspended Congress MLA from East Shillong, Ampareen Lyngdoh, on Tuesday, said that the civil societies and the citizens at large should have opposed the Meghalaya Gaming Act, 2021, when it was still a bill.
“No one had raised any objection when the state government had tabled the gaming bill in the Assembly last year. As members, we had objected to this bill. But sadly, everyone seemed to be sleeping. We had even suggested that the bill should be referred to the select committee,” Lyngdoh recalled while reacting to the opposition to the Meghalaya Gaming Act, 2021, from different quarters.
Ruing late reactions by civil societies, Lyngdoh said, “Everyone should have opposed (the bill) when it was tabled in the Assembly. It has now become an Act after it was passed on the floor of the House,” the suspended Congress MLA said.
She emphasised that such late reactions are detrimental to the actual understanding of how the government introduces bills in the Assembly and how the public remains asleep when they are being debated over.
Recalling the lengthy debates in the Assembly on the proposed legislation and its pros and cons, Lyngdoh said, “Sadly we did not get much support. But I wished the public had supported us when we objected to and brought in proposed amendments to this bill,” Lyngdoh said, while remembering that not a single organisation came forward to protest against the bill when it was passed.
Nonetheless, the suspended Congress MLA has pointed that no objection certificates (NOCs) will be required from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) or the Dorbar Shnong for setting up gaming centres in the scheduled areas.
She pointed out that she is not very sure about whether or not the state government discussed the concept of gaming with the stakeholders. “There are few things that the government needs to take care to ensure that there is no misconception and misunderstanding,” she stressed.
