Amapreen hails MDA decision to scrap MRGA, 2021

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 14, 2022

Suspended Congress leader Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday hailed the MDA government’s decision to listen to the voice of the people by finally scrapping the Meghalaya Regulation of Gambling Act (MRGA), 2021.

“It is a good decision because that is the voice of the people. Correct or incorrect debates will always be there but if the huge chunk of the public says we don’t want gaming Act then be it,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

This came after the Minister in-charge Taxation James K Sangma has assured to see that the MRGA, 2021 is repealed.

Stating that every agenda has its positives and its negatives, the East Shillong MLA said whether or not the people of Meghalaya are ready for a casino mentally, spiritually and morally is what has been discussed.

“And there is a general consensus that likely Meghalaya is not ready spiritually and morally to prepare themselves for those kinds of scenarios,” she stated.

Lyngdoh also recalled that she was the first to propose amendments when the Gaming Bill was introduced in the Assembly last year.

“It was I who rose in the House to propose amendments and beg not to move the Gaming Bill but at that time public probably did not understand it,” she said while adding “I have done my part so I stand happy because they (Govt) have listen to my voice, not just me, other members also rose in the House to discuss the Gaming Bill. I am thankful to those members also. Many members also rose from my party at that time to talk about the practicality, the readiness and the effects.”

She further asserted, “Of course there are pros but if the cons overshadow the pros then you have to go by what people want. That is good and we will go and we will repeal it.”

When asked, Lyngdoh said she presumes that the government will now pass an ordinance on the matter or otherwise call for a special session to repeal the Gaming Act.

“We have no idea as we are just members of the MDA. The leader of the MDA will make his statement as to what is the model they are going to adopt but I for one I am thankful that a review was done and the voice of many was listened to,” she said.

“I know that there will be more debates in the years to come, to discuss whether or not Meghalaya is ready for this kind of a tourism, we will evaluate with time and we will stick by what people need as this is a democracy, we the people, for the people and by the people and that is the spirit that the MDA has displayed,” she further added.