TMC set to table resolutions for repeal of border agreement and Gaming Act

SHILLONG, Sep 11: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is set to witness a stormy session this week with the Opposition Trinamool Congress ready to table resolutions on withdrawal of the border MoU signed between Assam and Meghalaya and repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act.
“Two major resolutions that we are moving is for the withdrawal of the MoU signed between Assam and Meghalaya to resolve the interstate boundary and the repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act,” Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh said on Sunday.
Talking about the issues that the opposition will take up for discussion, he said, “The state of infrastructure, roads, water problems in the state, the border issues, gaming law, health sector, safety and security of people and price rise will be some of the prominent topics that will be taken up.”
TMC MLAs had earlier staged a protest outside Parliament House demanding scrapping of the border pact with Assam claiming that it was “flawed”.
The legislators, led by former chief minister Mukul Sangma, had also castigated the Meghalaya government for alleged massive corruption and all-round failure in governance.
Sangma had insisted that the border agreement does not acknowledge the sentiments of the people and hence, it must be repealed.
The border MoU has also been opposed by some political leaders, pressure groups and border residents.
However, the government is determined to ensure that the interstate border dispute is resolved and has ruled out scrapping the MoU on the six areas of difference as part of the first phase of the border dispute solving process and is currently initiating talks for the second phase involving the remaining six areas of difference.  As far as the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act is concerned, government ally HSPDP has also resolved to oppose the implementation of the same. Pressure groups and civil organisations like the Shillong All Faiths Forum (SAFF) have also opposed the Gaming Act and the proposed casino plan of the government.