Shillong: Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Friday questioned the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government and accused it of ruining the artificial turf at the JN Stadium in Polo by organising the programme for the 50th Statehood Day.
Moving a cut motion during voting on supplementary demands for grants, Trinamool MLA HM Shangpliang stated that it was sad to see that a huge pandal was erected over the artificial turf on January 21.
He added that the turf was constructed with a lot of money invested for footballers and other athletes. “The government could have used the other ground or organised the event somewhere else,” he said while enquiring about the expenditure for the programme and the name of the event managers who had organised the programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who was replying on behalf of the Chief Minister in his absence, said Rs 2 crore was spent on the celebration of Meghalaya Day by 12 districts of the state.
Reacting to the query on damage to the artificial turf, Tynsong said the pandal was erected after due consultation with Sports department, Information and Public Relations, DC Shillong and sports associations.
“Repairing work has been done and it has been handed over, and the games can start any time there,” he added.
It may recalled that there was hue and cry from sportspersons in the state when the government had organised the 50th Statehood Day celebrations at JN Stadium where a huge pandal was erected over the artificial turf with vehicles and even cranes parked over the turf.
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