TURA, April 10: BJP MDC from Tura, Bernard N Marak, on Sunday came down heavily on the NPP-led MDA government for its many ‘failures and irregularities’, especially with regard to centrally sponsored schemes while at the same time alleging that it was the leaders and their followers who benefitted from it.
“Anganwadi workers, ASHA, SSA teachers, COVID contractual staffs, government school teachers, government colleges, nurses, muster rolls, primary and ad hoc schoolteachers and so many employees working under the state including the contractors are denied their dues and have lost their importance because political leaders have no will to look into their woes. These were the people who influenced and voted the leaders to power. These leaders coldly betrayed them and turned a deaf ear to their needs. Their children dropped out from schools and colleges, some didn’t pursue higher studies while others are doing part time job to make their ends meet. Some of these employees are not receiving the due amount as quoted in the Centre Government notifications while others are delayed in clearing their dues,” Bernard said in a statement.
According to him, the upgrade of schools and colleges were not taken up by the government during the last four years of its tenure despite huge budgets being passed neither was the healthcare sector looked after.
“Tura Government College which is one of the oldest colleges in Garo Hills needs special assistance in upgrading the infrastructure and filling up vacant posts. Students are suffering from not having enough classrooms and lack of various facilities promised to them. Tura Civil hospital which is an option for thousands in Garo Hills has no medicine supply and everything has to be bought from private pharmacies,” Marak said.
Marak added that the bills of many contractors are pending but instead of clearing their dues, new companies which don’t even pay local taxes are given works which amount to crores while the many local contractors run from pillar to post for their dues.
“Last four years was a waste, this year will draw a line. It’s a fact that the state as a whole did not move forward as anticipated by all. It was only the leaders and their followers who benefited the most out of the centrally sponsored projects, the public money and revenue generated from own resources. Even the allowances borrowed during COVID are still due to the government employees, which should be cleared as promised,” he demanded.