Meghalaya: Opposition MLAs to table "breach of privilege" motion against CM Conrad Sangma

SHILLONG:

Members of the Opposition bench of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Thursday decided to table a “Breach of Privilege” motion against Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for allegedly “misleading” the House on the issue relating to the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

“Where is the Rs 11 crore mentioned in the agreement signed by the previous government? They were trying to play to the gallery. But worst thing is that they have misinformed (the House) which amounts to breach of privilege of the House,” Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma told reporters here.

Earlier, during a discussion on the topic - “Prevailing power crisis in Meghalaya”, Dr Sangma had sought clarification from the government on the "Rs 11 crore figure" mentioned by the Chief Minister in his last reply.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that based on the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed between the Government of Meghalaya and the National Thermal Power Corporation of India (NTPC) in 2007, the State Government is required to pay NTPC a fixed charge of Rs 11 crore every month despite not drawing power from them.

Reacting to this, the LO has demanded a clarification on the clause in the agreement that mentions a figure (Rs 11 crore).

“Their intend is seen with a pre-determined motive to mislead the house again and again. There are many instances which they had misled the House and, this attempt to mislead and misinform the House comes from none other than the Leader of the House,” Sangma alleged.

He said the motion will be tabled to prevent this kind of precedent in the future.

(Edited by Iban Mawrie)

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