SHILLONG: The State Government’s distribution of development schemes is inequitable and that can be gauged from the condition of Baghmara, NPP legislator James Sangma has alleged.
Even after 25 years of formation of a district, Baghmara in South Garo Hills lags behind in development as compared to Ampati in South West Garo Hills, which is Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s constituency. South West Garo Hills was formed in 2012.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, James said distribution of development should be equal and equitable.
Comparing Baghmara and Ampati, he pointed out that it is a glaring example of how development has been concentrated in a particular area.
On the chief minister’s absence at the 25th anniversary function of South Garo Hills last week, James said, “The chief minister did not turn up because the people of that district will probably question him as to why the roads are in a dilapidated state.” “In order to avoid such confrontations as he would not be able to reply to the question he did not turn up for the silver jubilee,” he remarked.
Terming the focus on Ampati and its surrounding areas as unfortunate, he said, “Though we feel that Ampati and its surrounding areas should be developed but to take away everything and concentrate on his own constituency and acting as only the chief minister of Ampati and not of Meghalaya is very unfortunate.”
James asserted that the issue will be on the party’s poll agenda.
Another district that has completed 25 years of existence is Ri Bhoi but it has also witnessed insignificant development and the Congress led government is blamed for this.
C.B Syiem, who was a former supporter of State Government Advisor D.D Lapang, had said the present government took advantage of Lapang’s old age and diverted development schemes to other places instead of Ri Bhoi district.
He had also alleged that the Sericulture Training Institute at Pahamsyiem at a cost of Rs 22 crore was diverted to Ampati in 2016.
