SHILLONG: Umsning MDC, Donkupar Sumer has called for setting up of a sub divisional office (SDO) in Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district which he felt would stop Assam Government from encroaching into the territory of Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons here, Donkupar Sumer who is all set to contest the upcoming Assembly polls on a UDP ticket from Umsning constituency said that the Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma was creating civil sub divisions for the convenience of two-three MLA and so the Government should create a civil sub division in Khanapra, if the Government cannot resolve the long pending boundary dispute with Assam.
“If we come to power, we will definitely work in this line as Assam will not be able to encroach into our land once Government offices are there and people from there would no longer have to come Nongpoh for their official works,” he said.
Stating that he follows the footsteps of the former Chief Minister, (Late) EK Mawlong, Sumer also slammed the local MLA Dr Celestine Lyngdoh alleging the MLA has failed to air the grievances of the poor farmers of the district in the Assembly throughout his full tenure of 5 years.
Attacking the MLA over the delay in operationalisation of the proposed zoo in Ri Bhoi district, Sumer said that the MLA has failed to follow up on the project though it could have provided employment to the local people.
“Even most of the people employed in the 6th Battalion headquarters and the District jail, are not from our constituency,” he told reporters.
He also alleged that most of the MLA schemes benefitted only Mahila Congress party workers and family of the Congress leaders.
The MDC also felt that the system of holding personal interviews for grade III and IV recruitment in the District Selection Committee led to corruption and they would do away with the system of personal interview for grade III and IV once they were in power after the polls.
Asserting that the Congress is not strong like before in Meghalaya, Sumer pointed out that the alternative in Meghalaya is the regional political parties who understands the plight of the people whereas Congress is facing a setback after many MLAs left the party.
“While the MLAs are fed up with the style and functioning of the Chief Minister, people in Umsning constituency are fed up of the style and functioning of the present MLA,” he said.
According to Sumer, the Central Agriculture University in the district is being delayed for years and it would be his top most priority to see that the university comes up at the earliest and benefit the local farmers from the district.
Responding to a query, Sumer said that as different places in the state like Shillong, Tura, Jowai and Sohra have Government colleges, Ri Bhoi district too should have a Government college which will be beneficial for the poor children.
“We will also see that a polytechnic college is setup here,” he said.
He also stated that the district has huge potential as far as sericulture farming is concerned and it would be appropriate to setup a textile industry in the district.
Meanwhile, the MDC also lamented that the Sub registrar office in deputy commissioner’s office in Ri-Bhoi district is charging almost Rs 6000 for people to register their one hectare of land which is too expensive.
“Famers here are often asked by banks to register their land when they want to seek loan from the banks but they are paying too much for registering their land and we will take measures in this regard,” Sumer said.