SHILLONG: The president of Mawlai Town Dorbar, SD Khongwir, spoke of the importance of the Dorbar Shnong in an effort to create awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic.
He told The Shillong Times on Sunday that he had a talk with the Health Minister, AL Hek on the situation.
Indicating that the role of the Dorbar Shnong is of vital importance, Khongwir said that the Dorbar Shnong is helping out the government as the various durbars are asked to cooperate with the government.
“There is not a single case that the government will not seek the help of the Dorbar Shnong. Government cannot function without local traditional authorities”, Khongwir, who had the position of headman of Mawlai Nonglum for 53 years, said.
There are 16 localities under Mawlai Town Dorbar and there are two coordinators from Mawlai Iewrynghep and Mawlai Kynton Massar.
As for essential commodities to the poor families, he said that people who have ration cards get their items but there are others who do not have ration cards.
However, he said that there are organisations, MLA and MDC who are also helping the families and there are also contributions from other people. The retired politician said that during his time, the MLA scheme was Rs 3 lakh.
As a suggestion, he said that the MLAs can give about 50 per cent of the MLA scheme (which is Rs 2.5 crore) to the needy and the other 50 per cent for developmental work.
Asked about water scarcity, he said, “Water scarcity is there but we could manage somehow. We have new water source from Umshing, it is from the forest of Mawpat”.
He said that the population of Mawlai is increasing wherein 1972, the population was 12,000 and currently the position stands at 40,000.
With regard to maintaining social distance, Khongwir said that in the initial phase of opening up, the Dorbar Shnong faced problem as the people were panicing but with the grocery stores opening up, the panic gradually eased.
“The volunteers would draw circles indicating people to stand in queue with a distance of 1 meter. The people do agree and they are very disciplined”, he said.
Recalling whether he came across such calamity or not, Khongwir said that during Second World War of 1943-44, when he was in Class III or IV, as soon as the siren sounds the people would hide in the trenches as there were rumours of Japanese attack.
“But the aircraft could not approach due to the bad weather”, he said.
Asked about the change he has seen in Mawlai, he said that the people believe in change and progress. With regard to waiving of house rent, he said that people are considerate and they do make dual agreement.
Khongwir served as an MLA in 1998 and felt that he should give way to other people as well. “I was never defeated as an MLA. Then I realized why should I be an MLA for such a long time? It was at this time that I supported PT Sawkmie”, he said.
