SHILLONG: After Martin M Danggo’s demand for civil sub-division for Ranikor, the government is seeing a stream of similar proposals flowing in from various quarters.
The latest proposal has come from Congress MLA PT Sawkmie who wants Mawlai to be upgraded to full-fledged civil sub-division.
Sawkmie met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday and submitted a memorandum in this regard. He said Mawlai, which is a C&RD block, is one of the largest areas in the city with a unique combination of urban and rural settlements.
“The creation of the Mawlai C&RD block has instilled an awareness on the urgent need for bringing a higher level of governance and administration within closer reach of the people so that all their aspirations may be fulfilled on priority, effective and efficient manner,” the letter to the chief minister read.
Recently, Congress MLA Hima Shangpliang had demanded civil sub-division status for Mawsynram and residents of a cluster of villages in Mawkyrwat renewed their demand for a C&RD block.
Speaking to media persons after meeting Sangma, Sawkmie said the chief minister has assured that he would send the officers to the area for necessary survey to see if the idea is feasible or not.
“Only a civil sub-division can do justice to ensure balanced and equitable development and bridge the gap between two,” he said while informing that as per 2011 census, the total population of the constituency is 64,021 with 12,394 households. The population now is around 80,000, he added.
Mawlai has institutes like NEHU where students from across the country and outside it study and since it is the entry point for Shillong, the area creates “the first and the last impression of the city and the districts”.
Sawkmie also pointed out that a large number of educated youth remain unemployed because of lack of opportunities. With the boom in population, “proper infrastructure, proper road connectivity, water supply and electrification” is the need of the hour, the MLA pointed out.
