JAROIT/ SOHRYNGKHAM: Jaroit and Sohryngkham Neng hamlets, under Mawryngkneng, around 38 and 18 km from the city, respectively, do not believe in getting Electors’ Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) as they are yet to be convinced of their utility.
Moreover, they do not want to avail themselves of other health and social welfare schemes, including items under the National Food Security Act, as they believe that they are self-sufficient.
Earlier reports available with the government and the media were that due to some superstition or religious belief, the villagers are not accepting the schemes.
However, during a visit to the villages by this reporter, it was revealed that the rejection of government initiatives by the villagers, who are from different faiths, had nothing to do with superstitious or religious beliefs.
Phinik Bina (43) from Upper Jaroit, who has eight children, said there was no need for EPIC, Aadhaar or any health schemes as they are “self-sufficient”.
To avail the items under the Food Security Act, one of the requirements was to have EPIC, but Bina said she did not renew the ration card for one year.
“Not having EPIC is not the reason for not collecting the rice and other items. We have our own rice stored at home,” Bina said.
During the visit to Sohryngkham Neng hamlet, a lady identified as Mukhim said she did not want to get EPIC. Her husband, who is a farmer, did not feel the need of enrolling for EPIC.
She said though the officers had offered assistance, she and the family did not want to accept it.
The wife of the headman said there are at least 10 households who were not keen to get enrolled in the voters’ list.
The headman, Khrawbor Kharmujai, said the local authorities many times had approached the families for EPIC enrolment, but in vain.
“It appears that EPIC has no meaning to them and 40 residents are not willing to avail of this,” he said.
According to the headman, there is no pressure or compulsion from any quarters, but they simply did not want to go for it.
The chief electoral officer Frederick Kharkongor said as per CEO’s directions, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar had entrusted election officers to ascertain the status of reported non-enrolment of residents of Jaroit and Sohryngkham Neng villages under Mawryngkneng constituency.
Meetings were also held at the two villages in the presence of election officials, but at Jaroit, 23 persons refused to enroll.
These persons had also refused medication when they were sick and all forms of government interventions.
At Sohryngkham Neng, the election officials raised awareness among the residents on the need to vote.
Among the 150 residents who did not enroll, 100 persons had collected the form for enrolment and 25 had enrolled during the special summary revision exercise.
Those who had not enrolled had steadfastly stayed away from the umbrella of government schemes such as MHIS, NFSA, MGNREGS and others.
Woman handles own delivery
Even before midwives came, Phinik Bina from Upper Jaroit, who gave birth to eight children in her house – the eldest is 17 years old and the youngest two – handled her own delivery.
“Soon after my delivery, I washed the babies, cleaned myself, sat down and prepared tea and rice for the family and if at all midwives came, I was already into daily chores,” Bina said.
From Jaroit, the nearest PHC is at Diengpasoh, which is around 5 km away.
