Meghalaya State BJP waiting for central nod to new executive members

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 9: BJP leader and cabinet minister AL Hek has informed that the list of the new state executive members is awaiting the approval of the central leadership.

“This morning I spoke to the newly elected president Rikman G Momin, who is on the way to Delhi with a list for the approval of the central leaders. After getting the approval, they will publish the names of the new state executive members of the party,” Hek told reporters.

On the party’s preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hek said that his name is among the three ticket aspirants for the Shillong parliamentary seat.

“However, I don’t know who the other two names are. So we will see who from the three names will be the best choice for contesting from Shillong parliamentary seat,” he said while adding “Among the three, whoever will be chosen, we will have to work hard and ensure win in this upcoming Lok Sabha election.”

On TMC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma joining the BJP, Hek however said the door of the BJP is not only open to TMC but also to all political parties.

“Mukul Sangma can join at any time he wants. I welcome him anytime but we have not discussed so how will I know if he is joining or not. But for us the door is open to anybody who wants to come to the BJP,” he said.

Hek also said that he has no idea on whether Mukul Sangma is in touch or not with the BJP central leadership.

Meghalaya Cabinet approves Bill to repeal Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance – 2.0 government in its first cabinet sitting today approved the Bill to repeal the much opposed Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 in the Assembly’s budget session, which will commence from March 20.

Three spokespersons of the government – Ampareen Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh and Marcuise N Marak – were also appointed during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at the Meghalaya Secretariat.

All cabinet ministers attended the meeting but they are yet to be allotted portfolios.

“As you are aware we have passed an ordinance to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021. Today, as the session is on we, are going to put it in the form of a Bill (so that) the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act will be repealed,” Sangma told reporters.

The Chief Minister said the ordinance was passed when the session is not on to enforce a particular act. “The ordinance was cleared earlier but now that the session is on this is the correct platform now to regularize the repealing of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.”

The decision was taken after stiff opposition was registered from several quarters of society including church leaders and NGOs.

Sangma also informed that the cabinet has also approved the Contingency Fund of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

He further announced the cabinet’s decision to appoint three official spokespersons of the government and said, “Apart from myself and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, we have decided that Ampareen Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh and Marcuise Marak – will be the official spokesperson of the Cabinet.”

The Chief Minister said a full budget will be passed in the coming budget session adding that the business advisory committee (BAC) will meet on Monday to finalize the dates.

“It is healthy (to pass the budget before March 31). It is good to do it as we can start the work and process quickly as now if we go only for a vote on the account then it will be only for the first quarter and then we will have to meet again and so the full budget picture does not come. The team has been working in the last many months to complete the budget exercise which started a long time back even before the elections were announced. Therefore, the finance department is ready with a full budget,” he added.