State Assembly: Budget Session
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Bowing to intense political pressure, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has agreed to create another new district, apparently in West Khasi Hills.
Announcing this in the Assembly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister did not specify the name of the proposed fourth district except saying it would concern Khasi Hills region.
He informed that they would be taking this proposal for creation of the new district for discussion before the Planning Commission.
“We are planning to achieve the creation of these four new districts during the 12th Five-Year Plan,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister ducked the question raised by the leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma on the financial involvement of the package.
“We have done our home work. We have money” is all that he said adding that the details of the financial involvement would be shared with the members during the course of the Budget Session.
When contacted, UDP working president Bindo M Lanong said the party was happy with the announcement of the Chief Minister for creation of one more district.
“This is good to see the Chief Minister has positively responded to our demand. But we cannot expect that all our demands would be granted,” Lanong said.
He further said that he (Dr Mukul) has also not closed the door for creation of more districts in the near future.
It may be mentioned that the UDP has demanded for creation of two more districts in Khasi Hills region.
