SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) has put roads and education at the top of its agenda for the 2018 Assembly elections.
NPP president Conrad K Sangma has said poor road connectivity is the main reason for economic disparity in Garo Hills.
Addressing a gathering of 5,000-odd people at Raksamgre constituency in West Garo Hills on Tuesday, Sangma said, “Raksamgre has remained neglected for years. In absence of proper roads, the people at large and farmers in particular have to face hardships. The area has huge potential in farming sector and farmers here are progressive. But due to poor road connectivity, the farm produces do not get the right market.”
Sangma was in Raksamgre, which is currently represented by Congress’s Limison D. Sangma, to introduce NPP candidate Benedict R. Marak and drum up support for his victory.
“It is a painful situation that due to poor roads, people in the rural areas of Garo Hills do not have access to proper education, health and other facilities. It is a fact that because of poor road, the government’s welfare programme fails to be implemented in the right earnest. Development of a region largely depends on road connectivity and we are concerned about it. We have a vision that there should be equal development across Meghalaya and the issue of economic disparity is addressed,” he said.
Talking on education facilities in Garo Hills, especially in the remote hilly terrain, Sangma said NPP’s prime concern would be to improve the education sector in the state.
He promised to resolve issues related to teachers which also include improving infrastructure and the quality of teaching.
“We will ensure that rural schools have the right infrastructure and teachers get adequate support for discharging their responsibilities,” the Tura MP added.
Seeking support for Benedict, Sangma said, “Benedict is an able leader. He is passionate to work for the people. He wants to engage and understand your problems and address it. We see a future leader in Benedict to champion the cause of the people of Raksamgre constituency.”
Telecom talks
Sangma told the gathering that after he was elected as the Member of Parliament, he had raised the issue of good telecom connectivity for the North East, particularly Garo Hills, where several areas are still to receive mobile connectivity.
“I had several rounds of meetings with service providers for installation of towers in Garo Hills so that people receive uninterrupted mobile connectivity. We live in a digital age and connectivity is very important today for all our necessary engagement. Living out of digital space put us in darkness, so it is important that, we are not left out,” he said and added that Airtel, Jio and Aircel have given their commitment to improve mobile and internet connectivity in Garo Hills.