SHILLONG: Congress legislator from Mawlai, P T Sawkmie while moving amendments to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address on the second day of the ongoing Assembly session on Monday highlighted several points that the Governor failed to mention in his address.
Speaking on the safety and security of women and children, Sawkmie urged the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) headed by NPP to “Do something more to protect women in the state.”
Stating that many youths would leave the state in search of employment, he said, “There is no mention of solving the problem of unemployment in the state.”
Pointing to demonetisation undertaken by the NDA government which led to contractors, suppliers losing their source of income even affecting the youth, Sawkmie said, “It is a wrong policy taken by the Center. It is high time to take care of the youth. Government jobs are saturated.”
Stating that the Governor Ganga Prasad failed to mention the lifting of ban on coal mining in the state , Sawkmie said during the recent election campaigns, there were talks of lifting of coal ban as the Union Minister of Coal (Independent charge) Piyush Goyal had reportedly assured that once the BJP came to power the coal issue would be solved within 180 days.
Calling the NPP-BJP as a parivar (family), he said that he was looking forward to the cooperation between the Center and state government.
Stating that there is a “fight between the PHE and PWD department” which has led to ongoing crisis of water in the city, Sawkmie pointed out that the PHE department would dig roads to lay pipes which was objected by the PWD department.
He called upon the ministers concerned to solve the crisis between the two departments.
Speaking about traffic congestion, he suggested speeding up of Mawlai by-pass and to build a flyover to solve the traffic congestion.
Asserting that the Governor in his address failed to mention about the problem of road connectivity, Sawkmie hoped that that there would not only be good road connectivity in Shillong but in the entire state.
Speaking about road construction, he categorically said, “Contractors are very lazy. If need be, cancel orders that have been given to contractors.”
Sawkmie raised the issue of influx and supported the Inner Line Permit (ILP). He said, “ILP is the best solution to curb influx. We cannot compromise with our identity. If you and I will be dominated by others, where will we go?”
Referring to America President, Donald Trump’s quote, “America first,” Sawkmie said, “We should also say Khasi, Jaintia, Garo first. We are to protect our own people.”
Highlighting on the issue of garbage disposal, he said that his constituency has become a dumping ground due to the presence of the marten at Mawlai Mawiong.
Stating that since the state will host the 2022 National Games, he said, “Instead of a dumping ground, let us have a national playground.”
Sawkmie also said that the Governor failed to mention about the need to increase medical seats in the state, education policy and benefits extended to farmers.
Saleng Sangma
Taking part in the Motion of Thanks, NCP legislator Saleng Sangma expressed concern over the low quality of education in the state.
“Students cheat because they want to pass. if they don’t get quality education, how will they pass? Why do they (students) have to cheat? There is something wrong with the system,” he said.
Speaking about agriculture sector, he said that the state government should create a marketing system for farmers so that the local products could be sold out.
Pointing to the ill effects of foods that are not organic, he said that food inspectors do not inspect the kind of medicines used in vegetables and urged the government to concentrate on organic farming.
As for the health sector, he said that people in the village areas did not know about the MHIS which he said is “only for middle class but not for villagers or the downtrodden.”
He pointed out that barbers, cobblers were usually the outsiders while locals were deprived of employment.
Stating that the youth are being given altu phaltu skill development training, he said, “Not just skill development but incentive to start entrepreneurship. I don’t want them to splinter.’
Sangma also urged the government to increase the 3 per cent reservation policy for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) so that they can get employment as well.
Mayralborn Syiem
Congress legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem while participating in the amendment to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address highlighted the issues of weavers, farmers, road connectivity.
Speaking about weavers of Ri-Bhoi, he suggested to have a special focus for weavers of the state and recognized villages that produced natural dyes.
He said that just as Sualkuchi in Assam is famous for producing muga silk so also Diwon Umden should be recognized for Eri Silk (Jain Ryndia).
With regard to road connectivity, he said that the Umsning by-pass was incomplete and suggested the construction of foot over-bridge for students.
He also urged the government to come up with slope stabilization along the National Highway as it posed difficulty especially in rainy days.
On the health front, Syiem proposed to set up special trauma centers at every district because of
Frequent accidents taking place along the National Highways. He pointed out that the trauma center at Nongpoh was not functional. “I hope the government will increase the manpower in PHCs and CHCs in rural areas,” he said.
He also suggested that Government colleges should be set up in every district and stated that deserving schools should be given the SSA scheme with enrollment of 150-200 students. He also spoke about upgrading special incentives to new higher secondary schools.
Highlighting the plight of the farmers, Syiem said that farmers had to buy seeds at Rs 30 per kilo while the produce is sold at Rs 10 or Rs 5.
Stating that farmers are being harassed by middle-men, he said, “Special provision be made to provide help to farmers and regulate market.”
The first time legislator also raised alarm over loaded trucks plying even in the village roads that do not have weighbridges and called for setting up of special facilitation centers to check influx.