Hope on new govt to change state economy

SHILLONG: The new government after the 2018 polls will have a tough time streamlining the economy of the state which is in a shambles after the ban on coal and limestone mining, besides other liabilities.
Former chief minister Donkupar Roy, who is an economist, said on Saturday that people do not have money which is evident from the plight of people in rural areas. “Take the example of my Shella constituency where people, whether they are labourers or traders, are living in hardships and they do not have any money with them to carry on with the day-to-day activities,” he said.
The veteran political leader admitted that people do blame him for the current situation.
According to Roy, the state government has not come up with alternate measures to deal with the situation.
“The government has not stepped in and it is evident from the continued sufferings of the people,” Roy said.
The UDP president hoped that a new government in 2018 will be able to take the course correction.
The Finance Department had already circulated the need to follow austerity measures to deal with the crisis coupled with the additional expenditure to be involved in fulfilling the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations.