SHILLONG: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF), an ally of the ruling MDA, has expressed opposition to introduction of goods train in the state.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, PDF president, Banteidor Lyngdoh said, “We oppose both goods train and passenger train in the state”.
The UDP, which is another ally of the MDA, had already expressed their oppsition to railways, saying that the party was not in favour of passenger trains unless mechanisms to check influx were put in place, while the issue of goods train will be examined as it needs thorough consultation.
However, the BJP is in favour of goods train in the state, though not necessarily upto Shillong.
Appointment of MPSC chief
The inordinate delay in appointing a regular chairman of MPSC was flagged for chief minister Conrad Sangma’s attention by the PDF.
The previous Chairperson, LM Sangma demitted office on May 28 this year. Since then the Commission has been without a head, thereby leaving it hamstrung and unable to fill up relevant vacancies and also unable to declare the MCS examination results.
“There are many posts lying vacant which need to be filled up but they are kept pending for want of a Chairperson. We also want the new incumbent to be a person with experience and capability to being change in the functioning of the MPSC,” Hamlet Dohling said adding that the chief minister has said he would ensure that a Chairperson was appointed within a fortnight.
Members of the PDF comprising cabinet ministers Hamlet Dohling, Banteidor Lyngdoh and PDF General Secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang met the chief minister to urge him to speed up appointment of a full time Chairman of the MPSC.
Banteidor Lyngdoh said, “We are concerned that the result of the MCS exams have not been announced even two years after the exams were conducted. Most of the candidates might be age-barred by the time the results are announced. This is a matter of great concern for us. We have also asked the chief minister that henceforth all personal interviews should be video-recorded. We have stressed that the incoming Chairperson should be neutral so as to rebuild the reputation of the MPSC.”