SHILLONG, July 1 ? All is not well in the Dr Khonglam-led coalition Ministry in Meghalaya. Deputy Chief Minister DD Lapang, who looks after Planning and Finance Minister AH Scott Lyngdoh today lashed out at ministerial colleagues for submitting scheme for approval at the fag- end of the year unwittingly exposing the inner contradictions in the government. Their retorts against allies in the Government came in the course of replies to an innocuous-starred question pertaining to Education Department during the on-going re-assembled Budget session of the Meghalaya Assembly this morning.
Education Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, who belonged to the regional United Democratic Party (UDP) told the House that he had no knowledge why Planning and Finance Departments did not approve certain schemes of the department which compelled it to surrender funds amounting to Rs 421.13 lakh during the year 2001-2002. ?Normally Planning and Finance do not cite any reason while rejecting schemes submitted to them for approval. They just express regret,? he said in rely to persistent queries from BJP member TH Rangad who wanted to know the reasons for rejection of the scheme.
Lapang, a veteran Congress member, intervened and contended that Planning and Finance Departments cannot accord approval to schemes submitted towards the end of the year. ?When this happens we are compelled to express regret?, he asserted. The Deputy Chief Minister stated that a ?letter of warning? has been sent to all departments cautioning them against late-submission of schemes.? We have to maintain our reputation as one of the best financially managed States in the north-eastern region,? he said. The Opposition was quick in correcting him. Expressing his disagreement with the Deputy Chief Minister, BJP member Rangad pointed out that the financial situation in Meghalaya was far from good. ?It is only window dressing?, he said. It was now Finance Minister?s turn to counter charges against the Planning and Finance Departments. He expressed grave concern that the various departments have not changed their habit of making 75% ? 80% of the expenditures at the fag-end of the year.
Pouncing on the opportunity, Rangad said ?Ministers should resolve their differences in the Cabinet meeting.? He, however, regretted that money is being surrendered while the departments are crying for fund. Incidentally, the only Independent-member led coalition government in the country, the MPF is the sixth government since the 1998 Assembly elections in Meghalaya. The present government has a strength of 56 in a house of sixty while its main constituents are the NCP, Congress, MDP and United Democratic Party (UDP), which joined the government later.