By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: The Opposition on Friday asked Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to stick to specific answers during Question Hour in the Assembly.
Raising a supplementary question, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma wanted to know the salaries being paid to consultants hired by the state government.
In his reply, the chief minister said he does not have the specific information on salaries of each individual. He went on to explain that whenever consultants are hired, it is done through a proper tendering process.
He further explained that companies are paid based on the work they accomplish within a stipulated time. He said employees are paid by the companies.
Even as he was continuing, a visibly annoyed Mukul retorted, “The chief minister has already replied that he does not have it. Allow us to have some more supplementary (questions). It is a technical way to prevent us from raising a few more supplementary questions. That is not the way. This is Question Hour.”
As they were exchanging words to justify their respective viewpoints, Speaker Thomas A Sangma intervened, asking the chief minister to complete his reply.
Conrad appeared irritated. He said, “If they are passionate about asking, they should allow me to reply.”
Asking the Speaker if he will continue, he said, “The Opposition wants to show they are asking many questions but they do not want to hear our reply. It does not seem they are interested, so I will just sit down.”
Now, Mukul said, “I think it is wrong to say we are not interested to hear. What is important here is how with utmost mutual respect, we utilise the House and the time.”
He asked Conrad to give an assurance that he will table the answers of the questions that he (Mukul) raised and the chief minister could not answer.
The chief minister said, “Questions that are asked need an explanation. I am not trying to extend my replies. Frankly, I am tired of replying but then I have to do it because I have a responsibility. If I give a one-line answer, it does not give the entire picture. That is my only point. I am not trying to bore anybody but then, you have to understand why.”