Editor,
The issue of Uranium mining in Mawthabah, Kylleng-Pyndengumïong project has again resurfaced in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly which was raised by no other than the MLA of Nongkrem constituency. In his resolution he said that Uranium mining has health hazards and that under no circumstances the government of Meghalaya should allow mining of this atomic mineral.
The fact of the matter is that the Government under Dr. Mukul Sangma had, on earlier occasions, made clear in the House and through his cabinet that his Government would not allow under any circumstances the mining of uranium in the state. The stance of the government was amply clear right from that time. Yet this issue is raked up again!
Now, what baffles the people of the state in general and the people of West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts in particular, is the stance adopted by certain political parties and NGOs that instead of opposing Uranium mining opposed instead the construction of the two lane road from Nongstoiñ-Rangblang-Wahkaji-Phlangdiloiñ to Ranikor that joins the Mawsynram-Ranikor-Nongjri-Maheskola road at Ranikor! Had this road been allowed to be constructed, by now, construction would have progressed considerably and on completion of this road, immense blessings would accrue to these two backward districts of the state having a combined population of a little less than 5 lakh. Existence of this road would bring about all round development to this western and south western sector of the Khasi Hills.
I therefore, appeal to NGOs and political parties antagonistic to the road project not to oppose it anymore for the sake of opposing or for arriving at a certain agenda only.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Shillong -2
Of impoverished localities
Editor,
With a painful heart I write this column as a common citizen, of Shillong (Lumiawblot, Dum-Dum,Nongthymmai ) about the plight of this particular locality. Besides the filth and rubbish which litter in every nook and corner of the locality (including the drains) to which I believe we as citizens have contributed to the locality. But we are denied of water supply though there are numerous water tanks constructed to supply water to the households. At one point of time the citizens were overjoyed when one big water tank was constructed by the Public Health Engineering Department in Dum Dum locality, though it look a long time to complete (as we all know how many years our State Government takes to complete one such small project). However, there was better supply of water to the households, but our joy was shortlived as this particular tank is just a showcase. Since the last two to three years, supply of water through this tank had completely stopped except during the rainy seasons and unfortunately this locality still remains a Lazarus locality- as the name of this locality speaks for itself. Now coming to the rich man’s locality,”Lachumiere” where it is a daily sight for those who commute through this locality to see water overflowing not only in the drains of the locality which can fill Umiam Lake easily but of late the roads too are overflowing with water all throughout. It’s truly an irony of sorts where one locality is bereft of water supply, another can have excess of supply. I think the Engineers of the PHE Department have never passed through this locality on their way to their respective offices, otherwise, they could have noticed this and as responsible government servants they could have done something at least to divert the water which overflows into the drains and roads of this locality to other Lazarus localities like Dum Dum where a minimum of Rs.3000 -.4000 is spent monthly for purchase of water by a household. Again I repeat its painful!. Who will listen to the common man of Dum Dum? We have no Godfather to rescue us from this wretched condition, Perhaps we can only pray for the rainy season to come soon.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request