VPP condemns MDA govt to introduce casinos in the state

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 16, 2022

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Friday vehemently condemned the insensitivity and the arrogance of the MDA government by deciding to introduce casinos gaming in the state which is against the wishes of the people of the state.  

In a statement issued here, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said this has been manifested by the refusal of the government to accept the private member’s bill, brought by the member from 17 North Shillong Constituency, in the just concluded Assembly session to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021 brought in by the present government. 

He said the recent statement of the chief minister to suspend the process is nothing but an attempt to pacify the people, especially the church leaders under the banner of KJCF who have voiced their concern against this irresponsible act of the government.

“There was also no clarity even in the statement made by the chief minister that the government will repeal this act. He merely mentioned that there will be no further action on the matter.

However, he clearly explained that the process which has been put in place before will not be done away with,” Basaiawmoit said, adding that this implies that whatever decisions that have been made will stay. It also means that licences that have been issued, as stated by the Minister James Sangma in the floor of the house will remain valid.

Meanwhile, the VPP president said that another issue of serious concern is the decision of this government to hold the cherry blossom festival which has already drawn flak from various quarters.

He said this festival does not in any way reflect the culture and the traditions of the people of the State, instead it only brings in undesirable activities that are detrimental to the society.

Moreover, if media reports prove to be right, that the State government will have to avail a loan to meet the expenses of this festival, the people of the State have every right to oppose and question the decision of the Government to hold these sorts of festival in the State.

Stating that Meghalaya is already a debt ridden state, he said more loans will worsen the financial condition of the State.

“We, therefore, would like to tell those who are at the helm of affairs in the State today to stop these wasteful and unproductive activities for the best interest of the State and its people,” he stated.