Need for Infrastructural devp. highlighted
SHILLONG: Witting Mawsor, MLA Mawshynrut has expressed his discontent over the lack of basic amenities in rural areas coupled with ‘brain drain’ that has affected the overall development of the State.
While speaking as Chief Guest on the symposium on ‘Smart Village, Smart People’ organized by the Meghalaya Economic Association (MEA) here on Wednesday, he pointed out that there are bottlenecks to developmental works in villages with inadequate infrastructure coupled with irregular water supply and rural electrification as well as unhealthy sanitation practices.
“One cannot think of smart village without proper roads as good means of transportation is the backbone of development and as for the water supply, people in the villages walk for 2 to 3 kms to fetch water,” Mawsor said.
Commenting on healthcare facilities and sanitation in rural areas, he added, “The doctors and nurses are irregular and poor people cannot afford to come to urban centres. There is lack of toilet facilities in rural areas which becomes a breeding ground of diseases.”
Stating that the cause of rural migration to urban is due to inadequate education system, he observed that conventional education is the need of the hour for younger generation.
He also expressed concern over the fact that despite abundant availability of mineral resources, the people are poor.
He has urged the MEA to submit the report of the symposium to the Government.
Natalie West, President, MEA said that it is high time for people to utilize other resources enabling the people to stand on their feet.
Villagers from over 40 villages were invited at the symposium.
Advisor, Transport and Communication, NEC, P.N.K Singh and R.Rymbai from NEHU were the resource persons.