Ri Bhoi village Sordar’s ‘toilet’ diktat irks CSWO

SHILLONG: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) has alleged that the Sordar of Raid Kyrdem, Pholning Makdoh, had asked the villagers of Klew in Ri Bhoi district to immediately construct toilets under the Total Sanitation Campaign scheme at their own cost and that they would be reimbursed later.
CSWO also alleged that Makdoh, the former headman of Klew village, threatened the villagers that they would lose out on ration under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and their right to vote.
In a statement to the media, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said, “Some villagers reportedly are scared to resist this tyrant traditional head and some have taken private loans from ginger dealers and constructed toilets. Some have made temporary structures so that they do not get to lose out on the scheme or the right to vote.”
“The Sordar has also told them (the villagers) that when officials come to enquire whether they have received the fund meant for toilets, they should say yes,” she added.
Condemning the Sordar for misusing his power and usurping government fund meant for poor beneficiaries, the civil society group has urged authorities concerned to inquire the Total Sanitary Campaign, the money for which was never distributed among villagers, and to look into the sub-standard construction of the footpath and the pathway in the village.
The group further claimed that locals residing in certain pockets of Upper Klew do not even get benefits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The village also does not have electricity and villagers are compelled to use solar lamps.