SHILLONG, Nov 14: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma continued his attack on the MDA Government over FOCUS programme by questioning the government about the funds associated with the scheme.
“We have brought money in through developing the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion programme. We wanted to build entrepreneurship by obtaining partners in this scheme. The FOCUS scheme is part of the same scheme. I want to ask the MDA government where did the money go?” Mukul said, while addressing a major block-level meeting of the party in Salmanpara, South West Garo Hills.
Mukul recalled his efforts to achieve better infrastructure in the state during his term. He added: “I brought funds from Asian Development Bank to construct the road. PMGSY is given to the state for kutcha road; there were not enough funds from the Centre. I initiated the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Programme. I initiated the Integrated BASIN programme for entrepreneurial purposes and brought money from international banks.”
Cornering the NPP-led MDA, Sangma said, “I wanted to create a sustainable partnership by implementing the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood scheme. Now the government is saying that they want to give money through the FOCUS scheme to the farmers. It is part of the same scheme. Where has the money gone?”
TMC MLA Winnerson D Sangma also lashed out at the state government over the issue of unemployment.
“With so many vacant posts in so many departments, I want to ask, what is the government doing about it? The current government is not giving opportunities to our youth even if they want to pursue their businesses, there is no help whatsoever from the administration for budding entrepreneurs,” the MLA said.
TMC MLA from Rangsakona, Zenith Sangma, also reminded the gathering about Mukul’s chief ministerial term. He said, “We can see what’s happening in our state today and we can compare it with the 8 years of Dr. Mukul Sangma’s tenure. If we look closely, we can determine the amount of work Dr. Mukul has done, especially in Ampati; whether it was the medical college or police stations in the constituency, it was brought in during Dr. Mukul’s term.”
Speaking with conviction, he said, “People of Meghalaya are suffering from all four corners; this is the most corrupt government Meghalaya has ever seen. Every class and every portion of society is neglected in this government, and the time has come to defeat them through the ballot in the coming elections,” he added.
