SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Thursday the government would consider upgrading Mawsynram from a block to civil sub-division depending on the availability of funds.
Mawsynram MLA HM Shangpliang, who met Sangma on Thursday, said the chief minister agreed that the block deserves to be upgraded to civil sub-division.
“However, he said it needs to be studied further as the state is facing fund constraints.”
Shangpliang informed that Sangma told the delegation of Mawsynram Civil-Sub Division Demand Committee that there are two others such as Patharkhmah and Ranikor which deserve to be upgraded as the places still lack development.
In the memorandum, the committee said Mawsynram Block is the oldest and a remote block of the state and one of the important tourist places.
There are around 170 villages in the Block and the total population is around 80,000. The villagers of Makhali, Ryngku and Dholai have to travel about 55 km to reach the C&RD Block and the city headquarters .
Most of the locals are cultivators and lose valuable time which they could spend in cultivation if they travel all the way to Shillong for official works.
The committee stated that the upgradation will cater to the needs of the people of the block and will also open up employment opportunity for local youths.
Meanwhile, Shangpliang also met Banshai Marbaniang and others who staged a sit-in demonstration at Civil Hospital Junction on the same day. The MLA also sat with the protesters.
Marbaniang claimed people find it easier to travel to Shillong rather than go to Sohra Civil Sub-Division for official purposes. “No political party should take the advantage of politicising the issue. We will forget about politics,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to Shangpliang for meeting him, Marbaniang slammed Mawsynram MDC PN Syiem and said, “Where is the MDC? He should have been with us today and if he cannot he should send one of his leaders also.”
