Fishery EM apology

SHILLONG, MAR 2: In what can be described as an embarrassment, KHADC executive member (EM) in-charge fisheries Albinus Lyngdoh had to withdraw his statement made on the floor of the house that the ‘fishery ponds are meant to please the MDCs’  which offended the members.

“I withdraw my statement because I understand that it has offended the members of the house,” Lyngdoh told the house during the ongoing budget session on Wednesday.

His apology came after most of the MDCs, both from the ruling and opposition, criticise him for alleging that fish ponds constructed by the KHADC was just to please the MDCs.

In the course of his reply during the question hour on the total number of fish ponds in KHADC jurisdiction, Lyngdoh informed there were only three fish ponds and the council is yet to generate revenue. He said, “These fish ponds are easily accessible and are meant just to please the MDCs.”

He also said, “They (MDCs) also bring along 5-6 friends without informing me as the EM in-charge of the department. I feel pity for the chowkidar. We should not allow this as I feel we should respect each other.”

When KHNAM MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit demanded the EM to mention the names of those MDCs who use to go for fishing to these ponds but EM was mum.

Basaiawmoit termed the reply of the EM as misleading and said, “I use to go there and in fact there are four fish ponds being constructed by the KHADC out of which one is not operational.

To this, Lyngdoh said the executive committee will direct the officials of the department to look into the issue.

On the other hand, UDP leader Teinwell Dkhar said, “It is very much misleading to say that the ponds are easily accessible and meant to please the MDCs. I had been an MDC for three consecutive terms but not even once had I taken my fishing rod to these ponds.”

Echoing similar views, former KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew said, “Such statement which forces one to withdraw should be avoided in the floor in the House.”

Thangkhiew, also opposition HSDPD MDC however sought clarification whether the fish ponds are feasible to rear fingerlings and generate revenue or not.

Replying to this, KHADC CEM PN Syiem said the department will examine on the need to look at a large scale to generate revenue for the council from such fish ponds.-By Our Reporter