Shillong, May 27: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stated that uncertainty looms ahead for all due to the hike in fuel prices not only in the state but globally and urged all to be careful while reminding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overall message that it is not a time to panic but definitely see what one can do.
“Because of the uncertainty that is there, what we can do as individuals is to prepare for the doubts that are in front of us,” he added.
Stating that it is a difficult time, the Chief Minister urged the citizens to stand together, that the world is facing.
This comes as the Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly and two civil servants have travelled to Canada, cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui and officials from DIPR are in France to attend the Cannes film festival, the Chief Secretary and two others mandarins are in Argentina and a 21-member delegation has recently returned from a trip to London.
However, Sangma maintained that as these trips typically take months to plan, some have proceeded despite the austerity directive by the PM.
He said overseas visits have been cancelled and no new foreign travel proposals are currently being approved. “Post prime minister’s announcement, any new proposals for trips outside is not being entertained,” he said.
Sangma stated that the prices of fuel in the state are still below the national average, adding that wherever possible the government will try to see that there is no shortage.
“We will ensure that there is no hoarding that takes place that could lead to any kind of rise in price,” the Chief Minister stated.
Sangma hoped that there would be a positive outcome at the international level, which is completely out of the state’s control. The direct cause of rising oil prices has been the unprovoked war on Iran launched by Israel and the USA. The continuing war in Ukraine that was launched by Russia has also kept prices higher than they might have otherwise been.
When asked if the government can reduce some Meghalaya taxes, the Chief Minister said that this will negatively affect the state exchequer.
“We also have our own expenditures to look at and, unlike other states in the country, smaller states like ours have [fewer] sources of revenue and therefore it is a very difficult call for us,” Sangma said.
