SHILLONG, MAR 23: Ruling members of the MDA coalition government today hit out at the previous state government for laying “ghost” foundation stones in the state.
The issue came up when two NPP members from Rongara Siju and Kharkutta – Rakkam A Sangma and Rupert Momin – enquired about the status of the foundation stones for health centres laid in their respective constituencies during the question hour here on Friday.
Rupert informed that the foundation stone for Kharkutta PHC was laid way back in 2007 and till today nothing was done to ensure the project is implemented.
When the health minister AL Hek replied that he does not have the information at hand, BJP legislator from South Shillong Sanbor Shullai immediately stood up and asked whether these were ghost foundation stones.
“To lay foundation stone without sanctioning amount and without implementation of the scheme, we have to name it as a ghost foundation stone,” Shullai said while insisting the minister, to give assurance to put an inquiry into the issue.
This has also prompted the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to give supplementary reply and said this kind of practice of laying foundation stones should be avoided in the future.
“The concern expressed by the members is a genuine concern. It is very sorry to see many such foundation stones have been laid through out the state in many departments it is not just the health department,” Conrad said.
Stating that his government would want to take things forward, he said, “It is challenging but the commitment made by the government is something we would like to live up to and we will make our efforts to try and fulfil all the commitments made by the government.”
“I also feel that in the future this kind of practice of just laying foundation stone just for the sake of name and just to please is something we should avoid as far as possible. I like the suggestion that was given and we would like to avoid laying ghost foundation stones,” the chief minister added.
Earlier during his reply, the health minister informed that hospitals, PHCs and Sub-centres across the state will be opened as and when the infrastructures along with amenities are in place and also that manpower is made available.
When opposition Congress legislator George B Lyngdoh pointed out that many of the existing health centres are facing inadequate manpower and suggested the need to ensure they follow the guidelines, Hek said that the suggestion is being welcomed as of now the state do faced difficulty of manpower in the health sector.
By Our Reporter
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