By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As the curtains draw on 2011 the media and public get into an introspective mood. Some issues have hit the headlines regularly for the wrong reasons.
Anomalies in implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) top the list followed by the perennial traffic problem in the city and its outskirts.
Then the dilly-dally tactics adopted by the MUA Government in announcement the much-awaited mining policy has raised some hackles.
There has been a spurt in crime against women and children so much so that the Rotary Club of Shillong organised a seminar on the same theme in November this year.
The Shillong Times spoke to some prominent citizens of the State to seek their views on governance, development and other ticklish issues that plague the State. A huge majority expressed disappointment over the Government’s inability to contain corruption within the Village and Area Employment Councils (VECs and AECs), which has affected overall development of the rural areas.
The huge inflow of funds into the hands of the members of VECs and AECs for the implementation of the MGNREGS has given rise to wanton corruption. In most cases the corrupt are members of the VECs and AECs.
“The government has never been serious about tackling the problems pertaining to the implementation of the MGNREGS. The scheme was introduced by the Central government to bring development in rural areas. But it is sad to see is that people who are supposed to implement the scheme are stealing from it,” Meghalaya Right to Information Movement member, Angela Rangad said.
Rangad said it is high time for the government to plug the loopholes.
Echoing a similar view, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said, “A scheme meant for the benefit of rural populace has in turn affected them. The rich who have good contacts with MLAs and VIPs are the real beneficiaries”.
She also rued the fact that corruption within the VECs and AECs is not properly investigated.
Kharshiing also expressed concern over rise in crime against women and minors
There is a chorus of those who feel that traffic jams in the city and on the national highways and rise in prices of essential commodities need utmost attention.
“At present Shillong needs three or more flyovers to solve the problem of perennial traffic jam”, Principal of St Anthony’s college Dr (Fr) Ioannis Warpakma said.
He, however, lauded the state government for initiating several developmental projects. “This government is much better than the previous one,” he said. However, there are certain issues namely problem of adhoc and deficit teachers need immediate attention, Fr Warpakma said.
The pathetic condition of the State’s education scenario is the prime concern for the Principal of St Edmund’s College Dr S Lamare. “The State needs a proper education policy and the government is doing nothing in this regard”, he rued.
He also appeared unhappy over mushrooming of private universities in the State.
Working President of the FKJGP, Joe Marwein is concerned at the intractable problem of traffic jams. “New vehicles are hitting the streets of Shillong everyday and this has posed a great challenge for the traffic department,” Marwein said.
He came down heavily on the State government for its failure to announce several important policies and schemes. “The Mining Policy is one of them,” he said.
KSU president Samuel Jyrwa says the State urgently needs a Mining Policy, youth policy, education policy and a proper system to address traffic congestion. “The government should look into these matters immediately for the benefit of common man”, Jyrwa said.
The million dollar question is: Will the Government listen to these voices of concern.