Shillong, May 11: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has questioned the move of the opposition Congress to pay the rail tickets for stranded people who will return to the state, even as he questioned the opposition for hesitating to contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for effectively tackling the COVID-19 situation.

Tynsong, the leader of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), was reacting to the recent decision of the opposition Congress to pay for the journey by train for all needy workers and migrant labourers stranded due to the ongoing national lockdown.

“Why not come to the government in the form of CMRF or inform us the expenditure you proposed to take up? To just say it in the media, is not right. If they say they are ready to pay (the fares) just because they have relatives then that is stupid,” said the deputy CM.

“If the Congress is so serious, let them come up with a blueprint and will salute them from the government as there are many NGOs, religious institutions, dorbar shnongs who have come forward to contribute to the CMRF. But I have not seen the Congress extending its helping hand,” he further added.

Tynsong however said that the government is yet to officially receive a letter from the Congress in this regard.

Earlier, MPCC working president, James S Lyngdoh had submitted a letter to the chief secretary MS Rao on May 7.

“While the party is also identifying such individuals and reaching out to them, most workers and migrant labourers have applied to the SDO, district magistrates, state helplines to help facilitate their return journeys. We request you to provide us with a list of all needy workers and migrant labourers currently in the state and wishing to return home and the cost of their rail tickets. We shall deposit the necessary amount with you directly…,” Lyngdoh had stated in the letter to the Chief Secretary.