Shillong journalists boycott ongoing KHADC session over defective sound system

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 24, 2019

SHILLONG: The malfunctioning of the mouthpieces during Wednesday’s proceedings of the ongoing summer session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has prompted journalists in Shillong to stage a walkout after the legislative wing failed to rectify the problem. 

The incident took place during the question hour which was fixed from 11 am to 12 pm. The mouthpieces of the ruling side were found not to be working. 

Members of the House including media persons who were sitting at the press gallery and those taking visual recording at the floor of the House could barely hear the reply given by the executive member in charge Trade Paul Lyngdoh. 

Lyngdoh was replying to a supplementary raised by opposition Congress member from Nongshken Grace Mary Kharpuri who wanted to know the steps taken by the executive committee to prevent Benami practice. 

Noticing the problem, the KHADC Chairman Pynshngain N Syiem instead asked the EM in charge Trade – “There is some problem with the mouthpiece, I request the EM to speak a bit louder.” 

Similarly, the deputy chief executive member Pyniaid Sing Syiem also had to reply by toning his voice due to the malfunctioning of the mouthpieces. 

Being at the receiving end, journalists and camera persons decided to walkout of the Hall. 

A note was also sent to the Chairman of the KHADC informing about the problem faced journalists in executing their duties in view of the problem with the sound system and requesting him to take necessary action. 

However, the Chairman did not respond to the request leaving media persons with no option but to boycott the entire session. 

Interestingly, the opposition bench was also found not raising any objection against the inefficient of the people responsible to look after the sound system in the session hall. 

It may be mentioned here that this is not the first incident that mouthpieces in the session hall of the new legislative building was found to be defective affecting the smooth conduct of the House. 

This was despite the fact that the KHADC had spent over Rs 4.74 crore for the construction of the legislative building but only to function with defective sound system. 

Journalists were of the view that the KHADC should be ready to spend some amount to improve the sound system, which is of utmost importance during the Session of the Council.