AITC flays govt over Jowai garbage crisis

SHILLONG, May 21: In the wake of Jowai garbage crisis hanging fire, the Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday questioned the allegiance of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma alleging that despite repeated public protests and even the intervention of the Judiciary, “no proactive steps” have been taken by the state government to better the situation.
“Despite repeated public protests and intervention by the judiciary, no proactive steps were taken by the state government to aid the Jowai garbage crisis. Where does your allegiance lie Conrad Sangma?” the AITC said in a tweet.
In a subsequent tweet, it said: “The MDA Government has time and again proven its ineptitude!”
A division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya had, on Friday, said the judges sitting in courtrooms cannot identify sites to be used for permanent or temporary dumping of garbage and it is high time the authorities became more proactive instead of training the gun from the court’s shoulders.
Stating that this is a matter where there can be no judicial solution, the court had said it will not hesitate to issue directions that may be harsh for both the state and local administration if public life is endangered as a result of any apathy to take appropriate steps on the part of the authorities who are responsible thereof.
“The problem has persisted for nearly two months now and the residents of Jowai have been more than patient in enduring the ordeal. It is hoped that a better solution is thought of and implemented before the matter appears next, ten days hence,” the order added.
The state reported that steps are being taken for solid waste management at an estimated cost in excess of Rs 13 crore.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Trinamool Congress formed the Mahila Block Committee at Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, and inducted several women leaders in its fold.