Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang has expressed shock over the announcement by Taxation Minister James Sangma that three temporary licenses have been issued for running of casinos in the State.
Malngiang said that he will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tomorrow at his office in the Assembly to demand cancellation and abolishment of all casino licenses issued so far and immediate scrapping of the Meghalaya Gaming Act.
“I and a number of MLAs have clearly conveyed to the State government that we are opposed to the setting up of casinos in our State. We have asked our friends who are ministers whether they have any knowledge about the decision to set up casinos in the State. They told us that they have no knowledge about it. Even Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong had said that the government would go according to the sentiment of the people. But two days ago, James Sangma informed the House that the casino licenses have been issued. This clearly showed that the decision was done without respecting the suggestions made by us MLAs on this matter,” Malngiang said.
Malngiang also said that when North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum brought a bill for repeal of the Meghalaya Gaming Act, a number of ruling legislators left the House when the leave of the House was sought for a voice vote.
“I along with cabinet minister Hamlet Dohling, Jason Sawkmie, Gavin Mylliem, Pius Rani and Eugeneson Lyngdoh walked out. This shows that besides me, these MLAs also are not in favour of this Meghalaya Gaming Act,” he said.
The Nongkrem MLA also said that various religious leaders have come forward to express their opposition to the setting up of casinos and various organisations also have expressed their opposition to it.
“I’m afraid about the future of our youth. Once a casino is opened, there will be all sorts of things there which we all know. Even in Delhi, which is the capital of our country, the government has not thought of opening casinos,” he said.
Regarding the statement by Sangma that casinos will attract tourists to the State, Malngiang said that Meghalaya is known for its scenic beauty and tourists who visited the State came to enjoy its beauty. According to him, in 2019-20, the inflow of tourists to the State was around 14000 to 15000 per month.
“Those tourists came here not for casinos,” he said.
