Meghalaya govt questioned in Assembly over use of guest houses

Opposition parties in Meghalaya today hit out at the Congress government saying the state guest houses situated in other states are being converted into "clubs" and used for holding wedding parties defeating the purpose for which they were built.
Raising the issue in the assembly, United Democratic Party legislator Paul Lyngdoh said, "I had called up Meghalaya House in Delhi in May for a family who wanted to go there for medical treatment. But I was told there was no room available".
"I was also told that there was a dearth of rooms since four of them were booked for the wedding party of a senior officer's daughter. We are surprised that government officials have converted the Meghalaya Houses into officers' clubs," he said and sought to know the government policy on utilising rooms in them.

General Administration Department (GAD)minister-in-charge, H D R Lyngdoh rose up and denied that any such party was hosted at Meghalaya House in New Delhi but Paul said the denial was a "blatant lie".
The UDP legislator said the purpose of having Meghalaya Guest Houses in different parts of the country is to help people from the state, especially those in need with accommodation.
"If such wedding parties are allowed to be held then I can also bring a circus in the Meghalaya House," he commented.
Asking the minister to check records, the legislator said the assembly Privilege Committee had summoned the GAD Commissioner last week to appear before it and he had assured that such things will not be repeated.

A similar incident had taken place during the tenure of former chief minister D D Lapang and he had said even the VIP rooms meant for the governor and the chief minister were utilized for a wedding party, the legislator said.