By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A delegation of the participants at an ongoing District Integration Camp (DIC) in Jowai, West Jaintia Hills, on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Commissioner and Secretary in charge of Sports and Youth Affairs, DP Wahlang, apprising him of the hardships suffered by them at the camp.
Organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) Jowai as part of the Meghalaya Year of the Youth celebration, the five-day camp kicked-off on January 28 with over 100 participants from seven districts of the State.
The participants have complained about distribution of sub-standard food, stating that inferior quality rice was being served coupled with dismal quality of pulses and insufficient vegetables.
“Those engaged in the cooking section were found to be in an inebriated condition on January 29 and even picked up quarrel with some participants when they complained of the poor quality of food being provided to them,” the memorandum said, adding that majority of the participants go to the market to eat their breakfast as the same was not being provided by the organisers.
Referring to the toilet facilities, the participants complained that only two toilets, common for both boys and girls, were provided for the participants.
“The toilets are without locks from inside and in unhygienic conditions without any water facility,” they added.
They also complained that insufficient numbers of blankets were provided to the participants and there was no cleanliness in the sleeping area provided to them.
“We understand that sufficient funds have been provided to the organizers for hosting the event but we fail to understand why we are being treated inhumanly,” the participants questioned.
They asked the Commissioner and Secretary to conduct an independent enquiry into the lapses and if the same was not done, they would file application under the RTI Act.