By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Is there anything to cheer about on Meghalaya’s 40th birthday? With rampant traffic congestion, power failure, garbage menace, rapid concretization of the city, irresponsible use of natural resources, increasing cases of atrocities against women and children and what have you, the dice is loaded against the common man.
Meghalayans in general feel a sense of dismay about the unfulfilled promises of those vested with power to rule the state.
Nongkrem Legislator, Ardent M Basaiawmoit who is also leading the Clean Politics Campaign said, “After 40 years I can only say that Meghalaya is a “failed state”. I don’t see anything of substance happening. The vision of our forefathers and those who led the Hill State Movement has not been realized. Our people are too dependent on politicians who don’t address the problem. When people protest, government should find a solution to their problems Unfortunately even after 40 there is nothing to feel proud about.”
Michael Syiem, Convener, Mait Shaphrang Movement said, “The yardstick for measuring progress of a state is the standard of living of the people and it is sad to say that according to 2001 census 49% of the population were BPL (below poverty line) and in the 2011 census 66% are BPL. So instead of improving the majority of people are joining the BPL ranks.”
On the priorities before the government now, Syiem said that the state is rich in natural resources and with the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few there is an increasing divide between the rich and the poor, which is not being addressed. “The government should ensure equal opportunities and desist from discriminatory practices,” Syiem observed adding that strong leaders should emerge from amongst the people. “A strong leader who can articulate the frustration and anger of ordinary citizens is needed, perhaps from the opposition. Many strong NGOs can also lead the fight,” he said.
Leader of Opposition (LOP), Conrad Sangma said the State has come a long way as there are changes and developments but these cannot be termed as satisfactory. As far as expectations of the people go, there is much to be desired. “In terms of infrastructure, law and order, things are low and there is a high urban – rural divide. Much work is left to be done in these sectors. The biggest issue is that the government does not have any long term mission as lots of programmes are executed in isolation with no master plan,” Sangma said.
Conrad Sangma also lamented the lack of vision in the implementation and delivery mechanism at the grassroots level, adding that the priorities before the government now is to look ensure that the rule of law is upheld and infrastructure developed. He called for better delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level.
Dipayan Chakraborty, General Secretary, BJP said Meghalaya has not come up to the mark due to lack of political will. “For development we need governance. God has blessed Meghalaya with all
good things except political will and wisdom,” he said. “Meghalaya had good leader like TS Rangad. If Gujarat and Chattisgarh can develop in a short span of time, it was due to visionary leaders there. Look at Bihar, which has changed under Nitish Kumar then why can’t Meghalaya with lesser population develop at a similar pace? he asked. Chakraborty attributed to the poor pace of development to the absence of good leaders.
Most people are hardly aware that 21st January is a significant day for the State. They had to be reminded that it is Statehood day. A daily wage earner, Bah P Kharsati said for him and others like him everyday is the same. “We do our work and earn our living and do not depend on the Government so whether it is Meghalaya Day or Independence Day we have to attend to our work,” Kharsati quipped.
Increasingly the celebrations of January 21, (Meghalaya Day) January 26 (Republic Day) August 15 (Independence Day) are seen as Government orchestrated ones where ordinary citizens play no role and are not involved in any way. Clearly the above days are turning into mere rigmaroles which have to be observed.