SHILLONG, Sep 28: In the wake of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) seeking scholarships for the sportspersons in South West Khasi Hills, the Shella unit of Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has now asked the government to implement the state’s sports policy in letter and spirit so that the objective of the same is realised.
The appeal was made by the HYC during a programme to hand over financial assistance to three youths from Shella, who will represent Meghalaya in the 36th National Games Aquatic Championship in Gujarat.
Encouraging the youths to take up sports, the HYC said that the field can also provide them employment opportunities.
It is pertinent to note that a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each was provided by the HYC to the three youths.
The HYC also lamented that despite the presence of youths, who are good at swimming and have the potential to bring laurels to the state, the government has not taken enough steps to create necessary infrastructure.
“There are no steps taken to train and guide them properly besides coaches are not appointed and, hence, swimmers are facing problems to realise their full potential,” the HYC said.
It may be mentioned that the KSU from South West Khasi Hills had earlier moved the DC for the provision of scholarships for the sportspersons from the district.
“The Union was very concerned to see that the talented youths did not get the help that they deserve from the government when they participate in the national as well as international level competitions. It is also true that the absence of such help from the government has discouraged the youths to work hard and sharpen their skills as majority of them came from poor families,” the KSU had said.
HYC threatens to lock down bank in Shella
Meanwhile, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Shella unit has threatened to put UCO Bank Shella Branch under lock and key if ‘inefficiency’ of services provided by the bank is not addressed within seven days.
In a letter to the branch manager, UCO Bank Shella Branch, the HYC wrote: “…several complaints from the customers of the bank, who are residents of Shella and its adjoining areas, have been received by us regarding the inefficiency of services provided by the bank to its customers”.
“Problems like inability of the bank to provide services of withdrawal due to non-availability of electricity are very common; which cause great difficulty to the customers, especially in times of emergency. The bank does not even have ATM facility and hence customers are high and dry in these circumstances,” it added.
According to the letter, the passbook update machine has not been functioning for the last 2-3 months in spite of the alleged assurances to address the issue at the earliest.
“We urge you to take necessary steps to address the problems within a period of seven days from today, failing which we will be compelled to take drastic steps of putting the bank under lock and key till such time the issues are addressed positively by the bank,” the HYC said in the letter.
