By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The litany of daily woes of the citizens owing to lack of governance in the State came under focus in the Assembly on Tuesday when Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri moved a motion on ‘the systematic failure’ of the government.
He highlighted the common place problems faced the man on the street owing to degeneration of delivery system of the various Government machinery in the State.
While referring to the various Governments to Citizens (G2C) services, he said that the G2C services are totally disorganized which has put the common citizens into a look of difficulties.
He said that the people are not getting their regular supply of water on account of leakages of pipes.
“The worst part is that the department concerned who looks after the supply of water to the people is not alive to problem faces by the people. The water pipes remain unrepaired for weeks and months which is causing a lot inconvenience to the common people since there is no supply of water,” Chaudhuri said.
While referring to the irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS), independent legislator said that he is fully aware that the PDS is in total shambles especially in the rural areas.
“The beneficiaries are not getting their allotted rice and sugar due to failure in the whole system,” he said.
According to Chaudhuri, the people in the urban areas on the other hand are being made to suffer due to the irregular delivery of the LPG by the dealers.
Even though there is an assurance that the delivery times are 15 days, he said that invariably nobody gets a refill cylinder even after a month.
“It is also sad to see that people both young and old are being compelled to stand in queue only to pay their power bills. I fail to understand as to why a system cannot be put in place where people can pay their electricity bills on line or even having box where people can drop their cheques,” the Independent legislator said.
While stating that the health care system in the State is also in shambles, he said that PHC and CHC are malfunctioning, ‘even though the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has improved the system especially in the rural areas.’
He however pointed out that the Civil Hospital in the State are really in a pathetic condition and it cannot be compared with private hospitals in the State.
Moreover, Chaudhuri said that due to failure of the system people can get their driving license simply by paying money without requiring to perform any test driving.
While pointing out that the system of recruitment in government was sham, Chaudhuri noted that the MPSC too, was not above board.
“It is really sad to see such question being raised about a body that is responsible for conducting the appointment for the Meghalaya Civil and Police Services,” Chaudhuri said while adding that the fact is that clandestine appointments by the government officials to their favourite ones was the order of the day.
People who have the right political connection can only get a job in the government sector, he commented.
The Independent legislator said that it is sad to see that the mobile court which used to be a useful tool to check drunken driving and overloading has ceased to exist.
While urging the government to be people-centric and legislators to be of service to people, he said it is not right on the part of the Ministers to take decisions on their own. He felt that there should be a detailed discussion with the official’s even involving people in the opposition while taking any major decisions.
He however lauded the Chief Minister for the path-breaking pre-budget exercise with various stakeholders.
“I think this is a great step to bring about public participation in the process of governance,” Chaudhuri said.
While admitting that there is deficiency in the system, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma in his reply felt that there is a need to identify the deficiency which is inherent in the system.
He was of the view that the major problem which has brought about his deficiency is the allotment of so many contracts for one particular project.
With so many people involved in one project, the Chief Minister said that it becomes difficult to hold responsibility if there is any problem.
“If one single person is involved in the project then it is easier for the Government to take to task if there are any lapses,” Dr Sangma said.
While admitting that there are lapses in the G2C services, he said that the Government would try to correct the deficiencies.
On the issue driving license, he said that steps would be taken to streamline the issuing of driving license.
“The whole problem has cropped up because driving license is not being issued in all the districts. The other factor which has led to the irregularities is due to non-existence of driving schools in all the districts,” Dr Sangma said while adding that steps would taken to see that driving schools are set up in each and every district of the State.