Ronnie slams Syiem over divisive policy remark

SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister and Congress spokesperson Ronnie V Lyngdoh on Thursday rebuked KHADC chief executive member PN Syiem for his statement that he would make laws to unite the ‘Jaidbynriew’.
Speaking at a programme to launch the Chief Minister’s Housing Assistance Programme in Mylliem on Thursday, Lyngdoh said, “I don’t think we have made any laws to divide people and what does he (Syiem) mean by such a statement.”
“The laws which we made were not for dividing people but for their development and uplift,” the minister added and cited a few examples for explanation.
Neither the housing assistance scheme nor the exemption of non-civic areas from building bye laws is intended to divide people, he told the gathering at the function.
On the exemption from MUDA bye-laws, Lyngdoh explained the delay saying the government had to study the Town and Country Planning Act and that it respects the sixth schedule of the constitution.
He even castigated political parties who “falsely” claimed that he is putting many areas in Mylliem under MUDA.
The minister also substantiated his statement by saying many areas under Mylliem like Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and even Lummawbah will now have their own gram sevak circles indicating that there is no such move to include these areas under MUDA.
Earlier, Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek who was also present on the occasion lauded the initiative of the government.
Under the scheme, three bundles of aluminum roofing sheets will be provided to 27,766 beneficiaries in the state.