Mukul breaks down in Assembly

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 13: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today broke down in the Assembly while replying on the debate on the Governor’s address.

While recalling the services of his parents who were teachers in a school in Ampati, South West Garo hills, Dr Sangma choked and broke down.

“From the school where my parents had taught, two of its students are present in this House – Zenith Sangma and Winnerson D. Sangma. Even the ex-Speaker of Parliament (Purno A. Sangma) was my father’s student,” Dr Sangma said.

Soon after he regained his composure the Chief Minister said that he understood the hardships of teachers when their salaries are delayed.

Dr Sangma also said that there are too many categories of schools and teachers in the state even as he stated that the government is on the job to correct the system which was wrongly adopted.

The Chief Minister also said that new polytechnics would be set up in those district headquarters, which do not have them yet.

Dr Sangma also mooted the construction of residential schools to bring down school dropout rate.

Meanwhile, on the vexed Meghalaya-Assam border dispute, Dr Sangma said that the government would hold discussions with political parties of the state to chart out a move towards persuading the Centre to constitute a border commission to solve the issue.

He said that even those political parties who do not have representation in the state Assembly would also be invited for consultation.

Dr Sangma said that the constitution of the Boundary Commission was necessary since if there are bilateral engagements between the two states the matter would be further delayed.

On measures to check influx and illegal immigration, Dr Sangma said the government has ‘come a long way’ on the twin issues.

The Chief Minister also informed the House that the ‘entry and exit points’ have been identified, and said a direction has been given to go for land acquisition so that these points could be established in a phase manner.

Dr Sangma also said that entry and exit points would also be set up in the railway line at Mendipathar in North Garo hills and the Umroi airport.