By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (in-charge Meghalaya) Luizinho Faleiro has conceded that there are ‘some’ differences among the party legislators saying “there is nothing wrong in having differences within the party”, but ruled out dissension.
Talking to media persons after a Congress meeting here on Saturday, Luizinho Faleiro said that differences are part of democratic practices and Congress is a democratic party.
The statement of the AICC leader has come at a time when there were reports that most of the legislators from Khasi and Jaintia Hills were unhappy over Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s remark that the performance of Congress had gone down in Khasi-Jaintia Hills while the party has become stronger in Garo Hills under his leadership.
“There is nothing wrong if there are differences but our mantra is unity, discipline and hard work,” he said.
The remarks of the senior Congress leader suggested that Chief Minister Dr Sangma was safe but his “peaceful” continuance would depend on how soon he could resolve the differences.
He even said that the expectations of the people are high and Congress senior leaders would like to ensure that the flagship schemes and the election manifesto were implemented in the state.
During his meeting with the MPCC and the district and block committees, he discussed the need to strengthen the organisation.
“We want to ensure that both the party and the Government perform,” he said adding that the party would concentrate on the booth level as it is the premise of the party as well as democracy.
While stating that several states have already agreed to implement the food scheme from August 20, he said that the party would ensure that various units of the party meet regularly to ensure effective implementation of the Food Security Bill.
Around 21 lakh population of Meghalaya will be benefitted from the scheme as one beneficiary is legally entitled to get 5 kg of rice at Rs 3 per kg
Earlier in the day, Faleiro along with the AICC secretary in-charge of Meghalaya Dr Vijay Laxmi Sadho, who is also a member of Parliament, held meetings with various district and block Congress committees to discuss implementation of Food Bill in the State.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that the State Government would complete the process of identifying the beneficiaries within sixty days and will accordingly prepare a draft list
“The next ten day will be for claims and objections for the inclusion of beneficiaries in the list,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the ration card would be issued in the name of the female head of a family.
According to Dr Sangma, the State Government has taken several steps and he is personally monitoring the implementation of the scheme.