'No-Confidence Motion' defeated by voice vote

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The 'No-Confidence Motion' tabled by the Opposition Congress against the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government was defeated by voice vote on Wednesday.

In his reply to the debate on the 'No-Confidence Motion' , Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the House that there is no illegal transportation of coal across the State. Sangma also said that the coal which is being transported is the "seized coal".

"Such coals are being seized after getting information from the citizens. Based on these seizures, the State gets multi-fold revenue in the form of royalty, cess and GST," the Chief Minister said.

He further stated that in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, from the period of 2013-14 and 2017-18 there was clear mention that coal was transported to the tune of 27.87 lakh metric tonne incurring a loss of Rs 180 crore for the State's exchequer.

"It is easy for the Opposition to forget this as they were in the government then; but now, they are thinking of revenue loss and future of their children. But then, they did not think of these vital factors," said the Chief Minister.

Sangma further said that in January 2018, a total of 6.9 lakh metric tonne of coal was assessed without no GPS location, adding that an amount of 5.4 lakh metric tonne went to a single agency. "How did they give assessment without GPS coordinates?" posed the Chief Minister.

Earlier, the leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma alleged that illegal mining and transportation of coal in the State is going on."Till this government remains, the State will be robbed," stated Dr Sangma.

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