A Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday had a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed numerous issues concerning Meghalaya and the Northeast.
“During the meeting I conveyed to the Union Home Minister regarding the resolution that was passed to implement the ILP in Meghalaya, which was passed on the December 19, 2019,” Sangma said. The Chief Minister informed Shah that a delegation from Meghalaya would like to meet him and express the requirement and desire to implement the ILP.
Sangma said that the Union Minister was very positive and assured that he will meet the delegation and will be sending an official intimation to us right after the Delhi elections are over.
“The second issue we discussed was regarding the issues pending in the District Councils and I updated him of the status of things in our Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills’ District Councils and briefed about the issues concerning each District Council,” he said.
He said that they also discussed about the overall law and order situation in the State and different economic issues.
“We spoke about the various projects that we are taking up on a large scale including the projects for the National Games. I mentioned about the Social Justice Ministry’s project that is pending with the Cabinet and he assured that he will take up the matter with Prime Minister,” he said. He informed that lastly they spoke about the law and order situation in the Northeast. Earlier, the UDP had also asked for stripping Sangma of the Home portfolio due to the illegal transportation of coal.
On January 13, there was a meeting between UDP chief, Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on the need to stop illegal transportation of coal as this has damaged the image of the MDA government.
The UDP wanted the Chief Minister to take away the Home portfolio from Sangma if he cannot control illegal transportation of coal. North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum has also asked for stripping Sangma of his Home and Power departments.
Nongrum had said that the Home Minister has been ineffective in dealing with the illegal transport of coal and the inordinate transfer of police officials. Opining that Sangma is also ineffective as the Power Minister, Nongrum said that this can be seen from his inability to address the problem of load shedding in the State.