State stares at pollution, garbage menace, inadequate public transport among others
SHILLONG: No one can predict what 2016 has in store for the people of the state, but optimists are high on expectations even as the hackneyed assurances of the Government, which have not seen the light of day, are under the scanner of the people who want the government to walk the talk in the New Year.
The Shillong Times spoke to politicians and commoners to get their views on burning issues like soaring food prices, dilapidated conditions of road, shoddy health care system, garbage menace, lawlessness, pollution and rural development among others.
Ampareen Lyngdoh, Urban Affairs Minister pointed out that the cost of food items should not be considered as a problem. “We had a good year even though there were snags in the Public Distribution System (PDS). But the common man has not really paid a big amount to buy essential commodities.”
While responding to garbage being strewn indiscriminately on the streets and the initiatives of the Government she said, “Every citizen should take a New Year resolution to treat every street corner as his own home. Cleanliness is a way of life, blaming the Government is not going to help. We should take the initiative ourselves.”
Commenting on bad road conditions, she argued that Shillong roads are not bad when compared to other neighbouring states although she indicated that the Government should come out with a redesigning of the metallic road with all-weather roads.
When asked about the improper rural roads she said, “Every MLA should be sincere and concerned about the upliftment of the rural areas.”
She also suggested that pollution checks should be done to reduce the pollution level in the state which should not slide to the danger that Delhi, Shanghai are facing.
Jemino Mawthoh, UDP legislator foresees a downslide in the coming year, “With the Government under the Congress regime, I do not see much development initiatives, however, if the Government takes bold initiatives to usher in change an upside trend will prevail.”
He reiterated that the government has not been able to do anything to improve the livelihood of the people especially the poor and downtrodden. According to him, Meghalaya is facing a bleak state of affairs.
While speaking on traffic snarl and road congestion, he said that there is no co-ordination between various departments of the Government that will help in easing traffic congestion, “We have addressed this issue to the Government to provide a proper plan yet nothing has come up.”
Rajiv Mehta, Meghalaya DGP, while responding to the Police-public relations said that the Police department has taken initiatives to maintain good rapport with the public and this will continue. “Superintendents of Police are conducting awareness programmes in rural areas. For instance, school children are taken to police Stations to remove mental blocks if any.”
Talking about Garo Hills, he informed that the police support the people in their effort to initiate peace rallies against militancy.
While replying to a query on crime rates in the state, he said, “As compared to other parts of the country crime rate in the state is not high, while the charge-sheet rate has improved.”
Babu Kular Khongjirem, organizing secretary, Khasi Jaintia Deficit Teachers’ School Association (KJDSTA) said, “We are hopeful that the Government will implement the Food Security Act in letter and spirit so as to provide food and other basic necessities of life to the poorer sections of the society. At the same time the Government has to check the rising prices.”
He asserted that the Government should learn from the mistakes and promises it committed in the year 2015.
Citing examples of the scam of expired medicines of over Rs 4 crore, he said that this should not be repeated in the future. He mentioned that the Government should also observe other countries struggling with pollution and find out ways to combat the problem of pollution and traffic congestion.
“The Government should perceive potential pollution dangers as prevention is better than cure.”
Reacting to bad road conditions in the state, he said “The Lyngkyrdem-Pynursla road which leads up to Mawlynnong are badly maintained and the same is a shame as the place invites heavy tourist footfall.”
He maintained that the Ministers should not only make promises on the floor of the House but prove their honesty and sincerity by accomplishing their promises.
Sharing her views on the year 2016, Dr Wadamika Lyngdoh, Assistant Food analyst and Microbiologists, Pasteur Institute said she is optimistic as the Central Government has taken initiatives that will boost foreign relations (visa problem has been lightened), Swachh Bharat programme and others.
“Regarding cleanliness, there is a lot that needs to be done. As a microbiologist, I believe the water bodies need to be given more attention especially Wahumkhrah since it is located in the city’s heart.”
She informed that the Government is yet to appoint a food analyst for the State who can receive samples even as she hinted that manpower shortage will affect food analysis.
“People are more aware of their health nowadays, people even come with a bottle of sealed mineral water for testing and 2015 is a good year so far as food testing is concerned.”
She suggested that the Government should discuss the issues related to improving overall health index with scientists, bureaucrats, and doctors.
While commenting on bad road conditions, she said, “It is a shame that the schemes are not properly implemented as roads are in poor condition. Good road is a means to develop tourism as it is a potential industry that will bring in the desired revenue to the state.”
While the Government has done its part in introducing public transport services, the people prefer their own cars, I think the Government should do a survey in the city regarding this problem so that more people can use public transport system ” she said
Theilin Phanbuh, chairperson, State Commission for Women, said, “The government should strengthen the Public Distribution System to add more essential items and take action against headmen or middle who deprive poor people of essential commodities.”
She also expressed disappointment over the bad roads which put people at risk especially pregnant women. She added that the top priority for the Government should be to speed up the maintenance of road.
She also wanted the state government to provide medicines during emergency hours at the hospitals, CHCs, and PHCs.
With regard to public transportation system, she suggested that the Government should initiate discussions in schools on the ways and means to ease traffic congestion in city during school hours. “This will ease the parents from the trouble of taking their wards to school in private vehicles.”
To check price rise, Sylvanus Lamare, Principal St Edmund’s School, said that the Government should initiate talks with traders to enquire the reason behind the rising prices.
“More quantity should be provided to BPL families under PDS items. People will bear the brunt of soaring prices if the Government does not take control as in comparison to Guwahati prices of commodities in Shillong are high.”
He suggested that regular inspection should be done by the concerned authorities to see that the mechanism of PDS is not manipulated by the dealers.
Lamare blamed the bad road conditions also to the apathy of the contractors who are “not paid on time”.
“Contractors should be paid regularly while the Government should take a serious note of the improper drainage system as well,” he added.
Lamare, while stressing early solution to the contentious issue related to the empowerment of traditional heads wanted their roles to be defined by ether the High Court or the Government.
To a question on rural development, Lamare said in an ironical note, “There is not much development even in urban areas, so forget about rural development.”
