By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising of KSU Khliehriat Circle, HNYF Khliehriat Circle and AJYWO Eastern Zone have opposed the decision of the Government to appoint Abhishek Bhagotia as the Deputy Commissioner of the new East Jaintia Hills district.
In a representation submitted to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday, the three NGOs said that they are opposed the appointment of Bhagotia who is presently the Additional Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills on grounds that there would be major communication gap if the he takes over as the DC of the new district.
“Being a new district, we strongly feel that it would be a proper to appoint a local person so that he would be able to communicate with the villagers better. The villagers would seriously have serious problems if Bhagotia takes charge as the DC since majority of them are not educated,” the three NGOs said.
They, however, clarified that they did not have any doubts on the efficiency of Bhagotia. “We are aware that he is a good and competent officer. But at the moment our demand is that a local person should be appointed the DC,” the three NGOs asserted.
Meanwhile, senior government officials have taken strong exception to this demand of the NGOs. They feel that such parochial demands are uncalled for and would demoralize the spirit of a young and committed officer like Bhagotia.
“We do not see any merit in the demand of the NGOs. Why should there be any communication problem when Bhagotia would have local officers working under him as the Additional Deputy Commissioner,” a senior government official said.
They also pointed out that there are many non-local senior IAS officers who have worked in Khliehriat Sub Division in the rank of Sub Divisional Officer like present Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik and S Jaganathan.
“If the NGOs have a problem about non-locals serving in the area, they should have opposed those non-tribal officers posted their earlier also,” the government official said.
It may be mentioned that besides Bhagotia for East Jaintia Hills, the Government has appointed Deputy Commissioners for another three new districts.
The Director, higher and technical education W Khyllep will be the first deputy commissioner of the new North Garo Hills district with headquarters at Resubelpara. South West Garo Hills, which has been carved out of the existing West Garo Hills district will be headed by Ram Singh who has been holding charge as additional deputy commissioner West Garo Hills.
Aldous Mawlong, incumbent director of the State Institute of Rural Development, will be the deputy commissioner of South West Khasi Hills.
