SHILLONG, Jan 16: The United Democratic Party (UDP) said it will continue to support the efforts of the Conrad K. Sangma government in resolving the long pending interstate boundary dispute with Assam.
The UDP is a major constituent of the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.
“We have been closely following up on the need to resolve the inter-state boundary dispute
with Assam. We are happy that this government has taken the right steps to find a permanent solution to the different areas of differences,” UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh told reporters here on Sunday.
He stated that the efforts of the MDA government clearly reflect its keenness in resolving the six of the areas of differences taken up in the first phase ahead of the celebration of Meghalaya’s 50 years of statehood.
Lyngdoh said it was unfortunate that the boundary of the state is yet to be demarcated after so many years.
According to him, it is important to understand that the people residing in the villages along the interstate border are facing various hardships due to the delay in resolving the dispute.
“We strongly suggest that the efforts for resolving the interstate boundary should continue. I know it will not be easy, but we are hopeful that it will be resolved since it will be in the best interest of the border residents,” the UDP chief said.
He also said the party will again pursue with the state government the need to increase the upper age limit for recruitment to the vacant posts in various departments.
Stating that the party is concerned about the future of the youth of the state, he said the party understands that there are difficulties for the state government in increasing the upper age limit.
“Increasing the upper age limit is important for opening up of employment opportunities for the youths, as many of them have already attained the age of 33 years and 37 years (reserved category) and are no longer eligible to apply even if there are vacancies,” Lyngdoh said.
“We also need to take into consideration these two years which have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
He pointed out that many states in the country have increased the upper age limit for jobs to 38 years and even 40 years.
“Therefore, I would again urge the Chief Minister to increase the upper age limit from 32 to 37 years. There can be exceptions in the case of departments such as police where 32-plus people cannot be recruited,” Lyngdoh said.
He further said the UDP will advise the state government to impress upon the Centre to create a separate administrative cadre for Meghalaya.
“The joint cadre with Assam should be done away with,” he said.
The UDP president also said the party will continue to pursue issues such as the implementation of the Inner Line Permit.