Editor,
The Central and State Government have been talking a lot, about total road connectivity, total electrification, total sanitation, poverty eradication, malaria eradication, education for all and safe drinking water facilities. But villages like Ruganokat, Dronggre, Chitolongre, Rugarigin gittim, Rangmai, Karawengre, Galwanggitok, Dompai, Rangrachi, Rangrajalang, Dasingnokat are still living in darkness. These villages are in South Garo Hills, under Gasuapara Block and belong to Chokpot constituency. These villages are cut off from the main land of Meghalaya. Their mode of transporting goods is by carrying things in Kokreng (basket made of bamboo) on their backs. Even for one kilogram of rice they have to go to Dalu which is not less than 30 km away from their villages. My question is, are these villagers not citizens of India? Don’t they deserve to get the facilities as other fellow Meghalayans are getting? Do the ministers, MLAs and the district administration have eyes to see only Shillong and Tura? Do only the people of Shillong and Tura need road connectivity, electricity, schools, hospitals and safe drinking water facilities? Chief Minister
Dr. Mukul Sangma always assures that he will transform Meghalaya into a giant in terms of development. But where it is this development? Many children of these villages are dying of malnutrition and malaria. Their nearest hospital is Dalu, Barengapara, where they have to walk more 30 km. Can sick people walk 30 km to get treatment? Is Meghalaya Government too poor to make one road touching these villages and linking to them to Chokpot? Why can’t the Government open Primary Health Centre at least in Rugapara?
According to me development should be integral not particular, and villages should be concentrated more in the terms of development. Development should not be party centric but people centric. And it should not be promise-centric. Rather it should be action- centric. I believe and hope the Chief Minister Dr. Mukal Sangma will take note of the plight of these villages and take necessary action to meet the dreams of these villages for road connectivity.
Yours etc.,
Salnesh Sangma,
Via email
Jaintia Hills need better health services
Editor
The Jaintia Student Union has given a 30-day deadline to the State Government to comply with their pending demands which also includes the up gradation of the Jowai Civil Hospital as according to them , the Government has not taken any step to upgrade the same since its inauguration in the early 80’s (ST 8th May 2013). The Union also questioned the Government over the delay in starting the blood bank in Jowai and in making the newly constructed Ialong Civil Hospital building near Jowai operational. This is certainly outrageous. Now why does a Student Union need to remind the Government to carry out its primary responsibility of providing proper health care facilities to its citizens? Is it not the bounden duty of any duly elected government to ensure that its citizens get the best health care facilities that it can afford to provide for and that such facilities cannot remain static but need to be upgraded to meet the needs of the times. It is now close to three decades since the Jowai Civil hospital was established and though one cannot expect it to reach the level of the state of the art hospital by now, it could have at least conformed to certain standards which would make it comparable with the better hospitals in the State. Unfortunately this is not so and in spite of the best efforts of the hospital management to make the hospital comfortable and presentable and besides trying to provide efficient service, things appear to be disorganised and chaotic because of the congestions and because of the outdated structure which does not seem to give much scope for proper manoeuvring.
No doubt, the lack of good hospitals within the two Jaintia Hills Districts has increased the exodus of citizens of both the Districts to Shillong or elsewhere in their search for better health care . Therefore, for a start, the Jowai Civil hospital needs to be upgraded and improved upon . No deadline or ultimatums are needed to be served by any organisation for a matter as important as this. Incidentally, the hospital building in a sprawling premise at Ialong Village but it has not been occupied or utilised till date though the construction work has been completed for some time now. This is perhaps because of harebrained reasons. This building is conveniently located close to the highway and is easily accessible There is every possibility now that this building will turn to ruisn because of this delayed occupation. It is learnt that Tura already has a separate building for Maternity and Child Health care as that of Shillong .Such a set up could likewise be established in Jowai if the new building at Ialong village is utilised . This will also reduce the pressure and the rush in the present existing building. The government and particularly the MLA who has been representing the Jowai L.A Constituency for almost three decades now needs to attend to this matter with utmost priority and cannot be complacent anymore. The other MLAs of the two Jaintia Hills Districts should also by now appreciate that this is an issue of great concern which should precede many other considerations.
Yours etc.
KL Tariang,
Via email