Shillong: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma expects the new Assembly complex at Mawdiangdiang to open by mid-November. Construction crews have an official October 31 deadline to finish the site. The building sits in New Shillong Township. It should host the next legislative session.
Sangma inspected the site on Thursday before leaving for a 10-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association tour on Friday. He likes the current pace. "I am quite satisfied with the progress of work. At least now things are moving forward," Sangma said.
The Speaker confirmed the original project costs have not jumped. He noted that extra spending covers necessary security and IT upgrades omitted from the initial report. He insisted these add-ons are not a cost overrun.
State leaders hit a wall with funding for Phase II of the project. A meeting with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram did not produce cash because of new ministry rules. Federal officials told the state to talk to the Lok Sabha Speaker. That office will direct Meghalaya on where to find money for the second phase.
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