Meghalaya gets 10th district
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has called for a strong partnership between Government and public for tackling the problem of influx in the State.
“The fact is that the Government alone cannot address the problem of influx without the support of the common people. It requires the active support of the traditional institutions, NGOs and stakeholders to address this very sensitive issue in the right perspective” Dr Sangma said after inaugurating the South West Khasi Hills at the SDO (Civil) Office Complex, Laitlawsang, Mawkyrwat on Friday.
The South West Khasi Hills is the 10th district of the State. The other two new ones inaugurated recently are North Garo Hills district and East Jaintia Hills district. An eleventh district South-West Garo Hills will be inaugurated soon.
Terming influx problem as ‘alarming’, the Chief Minister said the Government has put in place several mechanism to tackle this menace.
“We have put in place a District Level Task Force in all the districts to carry out regular inspection to check if there are illegal migrants in various construction unit,” Dr Sangma said adding that Government also appointed Labour Inspectors in all the 39 blocks to check influx.
Stating that the creation of the new district is long overdue, the Chief Minister said the Government would try to create more districts to bring administration closer to the people.
“This Government on the first day when it assume office had promised to bring overall development in the State and to address the issues of poverty and also to provide quality Education and Health facilities in the State”, he said while justifying that the need for the creation of four districts is to ensure that the plans and programmes of the Government reach people and monitoring of the implementation process is effectively done at the ground level.
Likening the new South West Khasi Hills district to a new – born baby, Dr Sangma said “It needs care and nurturing” and called upon the people of the district to provide this. The Chief Minister appealed to the parents and the academicians to give all that they can to the students of the district so that in time, all the officers of the district will be from the area itself. He urged upon the parents and teachers alike to make a commitment to make this happen.
Urging the people to create an enabling environment for the government to work towards their betterment, the Chief Minister pleadedwith the people not to resort to bandhs and agitations as these are just paid holidays for government employees. “They get paid to sit at home with your money, how is this productive?” questioned the chief minister. Rather than resorting to agitations, the chief minister said that people should change their mindset and focus on positive energy. With a request that the people resolve to make the district unique and something special, Dr Sangma said, “Make us feel like learning from you. I assure you that as we leave this place, we are leaving behind a part of the government which will work for you. Your responsibility is to work with the departments which are going to come up here.” Other dignitaries present on the occasion include Chief Adviser to the Government DD Lapang, Deputy Chief Ministers — Rowell Lyngdoh and Bindo Lanong, Ministers, Prestone Tynsong, Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh, Shitlang Pale, JA Lyngdoh, AL Hek.