The new Ampati legislator, Miani D Shira, attended the Assembly session for the first time on Friday. She won the Ampati by-election recently after her father and former chief minister Mukul Sangma vacated the seat to retain Songsak constituency. On the first day, the 27-year-old MLA was seen sitting with her mother, Dikkanchi D Shira. Daiaphira Kharsati spoke with the young legislator after the Assembly session on Friday.
ST: What are the current requirements in Ampati?
Miani: There are many projects which are still pending and need to be completed. A lot of big projects are there such as the Greater Ampati Water Supply and also few fields/stadiums which are on hold because of the NEC funding. Some big projects are there to be completed as well.
ST: Your father has developed Ampati, are you happy with the initiatives?
Miani: Of course, it is one of the most developed constituencies. But because of the delimitation we got a lot of areas which were not under his constituency. Within five years he has done a lot but these areas are really backward and they did not have any connectivity so it was only in the past five years that the main road has been constructed… basic infrastructure has been made. A lot of other things need to be done in these areas. In the last five years, he has given a major chunk of the funds to those areas.
ST: What about the marketing facilities for farmers in the constituency?
Miani: In Ampati area, there are many farmers. In Betasing, the farmers’ market has been built and it is almost ready for handing over and Ampati Farmers’ market is also ready. More or less that is a direct connection for farmers and the people. ST: What would be your initiatives to tap agri-horticulture produce?
Miani: There are a lot of rice producers in Ampati. A lot of food crops are also grown there. (I) will take steps to improve this sector.
ST: What about the embroidery centre there in Ampati?
Miani: Embroidery is not as developed as in Mahendraganj (her mother, Dikkanchi Shira’s constituency). For weaving, special training has been given to the people in Ampati constituency. They are traditionally also very much involved in weaving, so their skills have just been enhanced. We are looking forward to make it like a cluster specialisation for weaving.
ST: What about empowerment of women? What will be your initiatives?
Miani: Yes, I have a few plans. So let’s see how that works out for women. Even in the party as a whole, we use a lot of services of Mahila Congress in Ampati constituency. Also, I am a part of the women’s empowerment committee.
ST: What are your priorities?
Miani: Priorities would be giving basic rights to people and educating them. Educating people not just means schools but awareness and education to bring about a social change.
ST: How was your experience on your first day in the Assembly?
Miani: I can see a lot of seniors and also some of my colleagues whom I have known for a very long time and some I still have to meet formally. Today as the first day was a good experience, I am yet to learn a lot of things, so looking forward to a good experience and I am sure that in the days to come I will learn a lot. I still have a long way to go.