By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State now needs to adopt a new strategy to resolve vexed boundary problem with Assam since the Assam Assembly had rejected the idea for a boundary commission, said Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya cannot afford to antagonize Assam and a cordial working relationship between both the states is necessary to resolve this long-pending issue.
The Chief Minister, however, said the Government would ensure that the people living in the disputed areas are not deprived of the various developmental programmes of his government.
According to him, both the governments had decided that whenever a district administration wants to inspect the area, the counterpart must also accompany it besides taking any joint decision.
When asked about the Assam’s approach to solve the dispute, Dr Sangma said Assam is positive about resolving this issue and “this is why regular meetings are taking place between the two states.”
Dr Sangma reiterated the need to have a consensus among all political parties of the State to solve the border dispute with Assam and urged the agitating elected representatives and the individuals to “re-strategise their approach” as they put pressure on the government to solve the dispute.
“To a great extend, I see the border problem with Assam (lingers on) because there was no consensus among political parties and called all political parties to unitedly resolve. The issue is not being resolved in a manner it should be. There should be a concerted effort from all concerned,” Dr Sangma said.
An MLA of the coalition partner in the Congress-led government Ardent Basaiawmoit and four other members to the Autonomous District Council, have called for a statewide sit-in protest against the government for its ‘failure’ to end the crisis at the border.
A youth from Langpih, a village under West Khasi Hills district where four indigenous youths were shot dead by Assam Police in 2010, threatened to go on a fast-unto-death from June 30 if the government fails in its endeavour to solve the dispute.
Maintaining that everybody is free to take up the issue (of border dispute), the Chief Minister said, “At the same time, they should also look at the intention of the government.”
CM confident of closing development gap: The Chief Minister has exuded confidence that Rs 3,939 crore Annual Plan for 2012-13 would help the State to close the prevailing development gaps.
Dr Sangma admitted that there was a huge gap between the people’s expectations and what is happening in the filed in terms of development of infrastructure, employment besides other sectors.
According to Dr Sangma, the State Government now intends to invest in education sector.
“We will initiate some programmes to ensure quality education in the state,” he said
The State Government will also upscale its investment in the flagship programmes, he said adding “We would support community with better infrastructure through our new strategy.”
Dr Sangma also stated that the priorities for the 12th Plan would include accelerated development of infrastructure, both physical and social and introduction of policies as this will encourage private sector participation in infrastructure development. (With inputs from PTI)