By Philip Marwein
Shillong (Meghalaya), March 7: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly today passed the Supplementary Demand and Supplementary Appropriation for 2024-25 authorizing the Meghalaya government to withdraw Rs.2109, 40,42,734 from the consolidated fund of Meghalaya to meet the expenses for the year’s end.
The expenses cover 65 demands for Supplementaries and Appropriations. Only few cut motions were able to move for discussion by members of the opposition but due to paucity of time the remaining cut motions could not be moved, and they were guillotined as per rules of procedure in the Assembly.
Replying to the questions moved by the Leader of the opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma, on the Baljek Airport in West Garo Hills the transport minister, Sngewbhalang Dhar stated that the Airport is non-operational as of today because the Airport Authority of India (AAI) needs extension of the Runway and accordingly 211.13 acres was acquired for expansion and development of the airport and runway to fit for landing of 19–20-seater Aircraft and Rs. 3.58 crore was paid for only land compensation.
To another related question the Minister stated that 153 acres of land for construction of the same was acquired between 1986-1989 and another plot of land measuring 58.00 acres was again acquired on 21.7.2014.
On engagement of Consultants and Consultancy firms by the MDA government the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma replied in the Assembly that his government has engaged 39 consultants and 69 constituency firms, but did not disclose the expenditures paid by his government from public exchequer to them even after pressed hard by the questioner by Brightstarwell Marbaniang of VPP from the opposition including the Leader of the opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma.
(The writer is a Sr. Journalist based in Shillong)
