TURA, May 14: Tura BJP MDC Bernard N Marak on Sunday urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to look into various issues plaguing the constituency even as he also raised questions on the decisions taken by the government on certain issues.
“It is very unfortunate that the poor families residing at Diringga are being evicted even when the appeal has been made at the appropriate platform. Their power lines and water has been cut off and it is sad that all this is being done merely because they voted for BJP in the last assembly elections. Sir John Barla, who visited the locality to inspect the ongoing projects sanctioned through minority affairs specifically said to stop all evictions. But the moment you formed the government, BJP supporters in Garo Hills became your enemy and evictions started. It is unfortunate for the people who voted hoping for good governance as there is rise in load shedding and water crisis remains uncompromised which can be stated as symptoms of bad governance,” Marak said in the letter e-mailed to the CM.
The Tura MDC claimed that the Centre had allotted so much funds to push the state forward in terms of power, water, roads and other facilities but that nothing much has changed and the state is sinking in debts.
“I would like to mention here that apart from constant power cuts, there is no cut in the bill which has increased even in the BPL lines for the poor families. You must take note of these issues which are affecting the poor of the whole state. The other areas which need your immediate attention are water scarcity which is frustrating the citizens of entire Garo Hills. We have pipes connected to almost all the houses but the longing for live water remains a farfetched dream in Tura and rural areas. Centre has sanctioned funds for Jal Jeevan Mission and other projects, including for maintenance of catchment areas and restoration of forest areas but the funds are yet to reach the nokmas and village committees which has adversely affected the water sources through jhumming and the scarcity of water went off the limits. May I know whether the funds sanctioned by the Centre Government was utilised in a proper way to restore, safeguard and maintain the forests to preserve water sources? If yes, why are rivers drying?” the Tura MDC demanded to know.
The Tura MDC, while raising concern over the plight of the Tura Civil Hospital following the recent wall collapse in a landslide, also raised the issue of alleged missing PMAY funds, anomalies in IHHL, old age, disabled and widow pensions and irregularities in connection with MGNREGS job cards.
Questioning whether the state government was following guidelines for implementation of schemes, Marak also asked the CM to call a meeting so that the public can raise issues of discrepancies with him.
Bernard, in his letter, also alleged that the GHADC was not following the guidelines laid down by NITI Aayog under 15th Finance Commission in the implementation of the funds, and suggested that an advisory, grievance or vigilance committee be formed to assist and identify the lapses in schemes and sort out issues in time without affecting the public in general.
