SHILLONG: The Opposition on Thursday raised issues ranging from violence against women, scourge of militancy, tussle between government and district councils, unemployment problem and pending international border dispute among others while taking parting in the debate on the Governor’s address on Friday.
Continuing his debate, Embhahlang Syiemlieh (UDP) expressed concern over lack of convictions in cases of crimes against women which is increasing.
According to Syeimlieh, post traumatic centres are non-existent for the women victims afflicted by crimes.
Syiemlieh also said that the government should address the problem of unemployment which will prevent youths from joining militancy. To find solution to unemployment problem, the Government should sensitise the youths on various programmes of the government. He also urged the government to examine the loopholes in the current educational system in the state.
“The present system of education stresses more on the achievements rather than the credentials of the students,” he added. Other issues raised by Syiemlieh include solution to water crisis in city as frequent digging of cables has damaged the water pipes, online registration to avail scholarships by students, the irony of government organising festivals at a time when there is shortage of funds. . The pending salaries to the employees of MCCL and contractors’ bills are examples, he said, adding that the festivals should facilitate events of personal growth and development besides benefitting the youth.”
Stating that the government should check revenue loss, Syiemlieh pointed out that the government could not realise Rs 598 crore in 2013-14 in 283 cases according to CAG report.
He also said that tourism can be an alternative source of revenue as it is a growing industry.
The legislator also pointed that misunderstanding between state government and the KHADC has led to several problems as contentious issues like Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015, Village Administration Bill, the matter relating to nominated MDCs, and Meghalaya Services Rules still linger.
No good governance promise: Ardent
Taking part in the discussion, Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) described the Governor’s address as “nothing but a hollow statement prepared with cut and paste method”.
He said the address did not refer to any strong commitment to provide clean and good governance and that the government did not pay serious attention to unemployment problem.
“There is a situation that even those who are already employed in different sectors have now been thrown out and left in the lurch. e.g., those who are working in the coal mines, stone quarries, farmers for want of agricultural land, MRDS employees in the wake of the government’s decision to do away with the MRDS, and even local contractors registered with the government, as most of the works in these days are allegedly taken away by MLAs and Ministers.”, he pointed out.
He said that MLAs and Ministers doing contract and supply works are now being discussed in the open. “It seems that the same economic power holder is also political power holder which is not a healthy sign for the state and its people.”, Basaiawmoit said.
According to Basaiawmoit, the introduction of mission modes under Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP) has only weakened various government departments as they are made to shed certain amount of fund in order to support the working of various missions under the programme.
Basaiawmoit also said the state government seems to have adopted two different yardsticks while dealing with militancy in the state.
The government is engaging in dialogue with militant groups in Garo Hills despite the fact that they are still indulging in criminal and anti establishment activities.
However, it chose not to have a serious engagement with the HNLC which was once being a dreaded militant outfit in the Khasi region although the outfit is keen on engaging talks with the government.
“This double standard approach of the government only reveals that the government of the day is not at all serious to bring lasting peace in the region,” he said.
The legislator also brought to the attention of the House on the rise in theft cases and pointed out that despite the installation of CCTVs in many places in Shillong, the number of theft cases is on the rise.
“More shockingly, even metal grills at Khyndailad near Assembly building were stolen”, he said. On the contentious issue of international border dispute, the HSPDP legislator said that it was known that Meghalaya will retain 241 acres of land, and Bangladesh will retain about 41 acres of land.
“However, going by the report and recommendation of the co-ordination committee notified by the government to look into the grievances relating to the fencing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, you will be surprised to learn that the total adversely held areas possessed by India are about 559.15 acres while around 52.15 acres are held by Bangladesh”, the legislator said. Meghalaya stands to lose in this agreement, he said and claimed that according to the people living in border areas, Bangladesh will be benefited more, .
Delay in setting up of state Zoo pending since long, erratic power supply at a time when the state government has already signed the “24×7 – power for all” State Specific Document with the Ministry of Power were other issues raised by the legislator. Metbah Lyngdoh(UDP), Witting Mawsor (HSPDP) and Hopeful Bamon (IND) also took part in the discussion.
