In the Meghalaya Assembly, CM Conrad Sangma was asked questions by his MLA wife. He sought answers on stalled animal husbandry schemes and progress on new colleges. CM assured immediate action.
Shillong: In the Assembly, it is often the opposition MLAs who ask questions to the government, ministers and the Chief Minister. But a completely unique sight was seen in the Meghalaya Assembly. Here in the House, the wife of the Chief Minister (CM) herself asked a question to her husband. Yes, Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandy A Sangma is also an MLA. She questioned her husband in the House regarding the stalled animal husbandry training scheme in the state. In response, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma assured that this stalled scheme will be restarted soon.
Meanwhile, CM’s wife Mehtab Chandy A Sangma, MLA from Gambegre, also sought answers from the government on the progress of one veterinary college, two fishery colleges and one dairy college proposed by the cabinet in 2022. He also raised the issue of shortage of staff in veterinary training centers across the state. The video of the debate on policy issues between husband and wife (Conrad K Sangma and Mehtab Chandy A Sangma) in the Assembly went viral on social media in no time.
Responding on behalf of the government, the Chief Minister said that these institutions have been planned to strengthen the animal husbandry sector. He said, “Most of the people in the state are involved in animal husbandry, so we decided to build these three colleges as there is an urgent need for them.” Expressing concern over the shortage of staff in veterinary colleges, he said, “It is definitely a matter of concern. Steps are being taken to fill the shortage of staff as soon as possible. Filling the vacant posts will be our priority.”
On the delay in preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), Sangma said that processes like identification of land and determining the requirement of staff for the project took time. He said that about 800 acres of land has been identified at Kirdemkulai in Ri-Bhoi district for the proposed Veterinary College, which will cost about Rs 334 crore and will involve 19 departments. “The expenses are very high, so we are concerned,” he said. However, he assured the House that steps would be taken to expedite the process.