By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A group of people under the allegiance of Tur Thma U Rangli-Juki (TTUR-J) have released a ‘People’s Proclamation’ containing important issues which concerned the common man of the State.
While releasing the booklet here on Thursday, TTUR-J member R Lyndem said that this open manifesto is an attempt towards raising a progressive challenge to the current political structure of Meghalaya.
“We have compiled this booklet after having an interaction with cross section of people who have raised some pertinent issues which are very relevant,” Lyndem said while adding that the timing of the release of the booklet at the time of the election was unintentional.
Lyndem said that they have raised the issue that there should be no landless indigenous person in the State and have demanded the strengthening of the Land Transfer Act to stop inter and intra community alienation of land.
“We have suggested the need to adopt a new Land Acquisition Act which respects customary laws and practices. There should also be a compensation policy for those who are affected by any project,” Lyndem said.
He said that there should moratorium on polluting mineral based industry and sought immediate stoppage of subsidies to such industries.
While demanding the revoking of the amendment of the Forest Act, he said that they have highlighted the issue of violation of the Forest Act by industries in the State.
“We would also like to see a final moratorium on Uranium mining and nuclear-based industry,” Lyndem said while also stressing on the need to reclaim the various important rivers like Wah Umkhrah, Umshyrpi, Myntdu, Lukha etc., from illegal encroachment and pollution.
Lyndem also said that there should be minimum support price for agricultural goods with accessible cold storage facilities for perishable goods.
He said that the Government should stop Public Private Partnerships and outsourcing of health services while also pointing on the need for giving special care on public health issues like malaria, TB, malnutrition, reproductive health and mental health.
Stating that public health system based on referral system needs to be strengthened from the Sub Centre to the Civil Hospital level, he said that it should be made mandatory that all government doctors serve at least one-third of their career in rural areas.
Lyndem said that special weightage system for students from rural schools should be made during short listing for State Quota seats for higher technical and professional education.
“There should be strict legislation on education strictly in line with the RTE law without any exceptions,” he said.
Lyndem said they have demanded that the State Reservation Policy should apply to all private sector units employing more than five people.
“The Government should stop outsourcing of jobs. All appointments should be done only through independent institutions like the DSC and the MPSC. Answer scripts, interview score sheets and video recordings of the interviews should be pro-actively released in the public domain along with the results,” he said.
“The minimum wage in the State should be enhanced and indexed to inflation. The Minimum Wages Act should be strictly enforced for all class of labour,” Lyndem said.
He also stated that sports associations should be allowed to be run by active sportspersons and political appointees and interference should be stopped.