By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Experts and prominent citizens, who analyzed the year 2012, as per the queries of The Shillong Times, have expressed concern over the poor education scenario, health care and worsening law and order in the State.
NEHU Vice Chancellor AN Rai said that above all, the key priorities that deserved the government attention included education, health and law and order situation in the state. “When looked at the education scenario in the state and the quality of education right from Kindergarten to the university level, it is not up to the mark”, he said.
Further stressing on the need for the government to focus on higher education especially in the rural areas, Prof Rai said “Children are the future of the society, so to me, this is more bigger than any other problems which is visible around us because at the end of the day, all other problems could be narrowed down to lack of education and sensitization”.
Suggesting the government to provide a fixed budget and decide on priority, Prof Rai said that there is an immediate need to reform education in the state and provide infrastructure and facilities not only to schools in the city but also the rural areas.
Talking about health scenario in the state, the NEHU VC said one should give a quick thought on the conditions of the rural populace and the non-governmental employees who are deprived of government facilities like re-imbursement of medical bills and the likes.
Commenting on the law and order situation in the state, Prof Rai said this is one area which needs a solid action plan on the part of the government while stating that citizens should be sensitized on such issues to be able to analyze the whole situation.
Referring to rise of crime against women in the state, Prof Rai said even though Meghalaya is known for having a matrilineal set up, women besides enjoying the privilege of claiming the last name and inheritance, are deprived of the right to security. “Besides inheritance, women in Meghalaya are similarly placed like those of their counterparts elsewhere in the country”, he added.
Director of IIM, Shillong, Prof Keya Sengupta has reflected on the sad state of affairs of Meghalaya with regards to urbanization stating that the whole city of Shillong is an urban slum. “We notice that there is an unplanned urbanization in the state of Meghalaya”, she said.
Stating that the government should have a pre-planned idea before implementing any project to ensure sustainable growth of the state, Prof Sengupta said the government should not only concentrate on urban development but also rural development to ensure that migration of rural populace to the urban areas is contained.
Highlighting that speedy development has nothing to do with the size of the state, the IIM Director said “It is the dedication and commitment of the people which matters the most and the government can only act as a facilitator keeping in mind the fact that the state is blessed with abundant potentialities.”
Commenting on rise of crime against women, Prof Sengupta said compared to the rest of the country, Meghalaya is much better but the fact that many reported and unreported cases continue to transpire, is a growing concern for the state as a whole.
Prof Sengupta is of the opinion that the initiative to curb this menace should start from the top. “And one must also take note that stern actions should be taken against defaulters if found”.
When asked whether a strong Lokayukta is going to help in curbing corruption in the state, the IIM Director said “I doubt if this law could contain this menace because at the end of the day, the move to go against corruption should start from within.”
Besides, Prof Sengupta has also highlighted the problem of communication in respect to flight connectivity stating that much has to be done to improve air connectivity from Shillong to other parts of the country.
Senior Advocate VGK Kynta, while taking note of the drawbacks in governance in 2012 stressed that the 2013 should provide a space for clean politicians in order to ensure clean governance for overall development.
Sharing his opinion on the menace of traffic congestion in the city, Kynta said there is no solution to traffic congestion as the numbers of vehicles are increasing day by day but the problem could not be addressed by widening the roads, implementing the construction of the bye-pass and national highways in full swing besides shifting most government offices including the new Assembly to the suburbs and leaving Tara Ghar as a heritage building.
Commenting on law and order situation in the state especially in Garo Hills, the senior advocate said the same could only be contained if enough job avenues are being provided to the youth of the state. “We see an increase in the number of school drop-outs in the state and some of them are left with no options but to join militancy”.
He further highlighted the lack of development in Garo Hills stating that “There are many pockets in Garo Hills which are still under developed and deserve the attention of the government.” He also pin-pointed the failure of the government to go as per the areas of interest of the youth.
Sharing his views on the increase of crime against women in the state, Kynta said crime like rape, assault and molestation cannot only be curbed by introducing stringent laws but keeping the people informed and sensitizing about the laws kept in place which will help in containing this crime. “Laws should percolate right down to ground zero”, he said adding that the police should really enforce the laws by checking on drunk driving, tinted glasses besides other means which arouses the temptation to commit a crime.
Highlighting on the ways to contain corruption, Kynta said there is a need for an independent power and policing which could address this problem and book the defaulters as per law ranging from the top level officials down to the common man. “Only if a strong Lokayukta bill is made effective and put into place, this problem could be curbed to a certain extent”, he asserted.
Chairman of the MTDF RG Lyngdoh is of the opinion that with election around the corner, people should look back to the times when the citizens were struggling for a separate hill-state while urging the people to acquire the same passion and honesty.
“People should demand for the same quality in our leaders based on honesty, sincerity, transparency and the likes”, he said adding that only then can the state develop under the leadership of capable leaders.
Looking back at 2012, Lyngdoh said the main issue which comes to the forefront and which needs immediate attention is education while stating that “Education is one area which needs improvement”. He also highlighted on the need to address the law and order situation in the state, traffic and possible resurgence of militant groups.
While lauding the initiative taken by the government to boost up capacity building of the people through its various schemes, Lyngdoh said such initiatives should be strengthened and followed up to prevent them from falling apart in a short period of time.
Reacting to a query, the MTDF chairman said corruption should not be institutionalized but “we must stigmatize corruption within the society’.
Commenting on rise of crime against women in the state, Lyngdoh said values has deteriorated to a large extent and the value system should be strengthened right from home. “No laws can change a man the way value education can do”, he said adding that we need to look at this problem from a wider perspective and look for solutions which are sustainable in the long run.