SHILLONG/ TURA, July 18: Cabinet minister and MDA 2.0 spokesperson, Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday said the demand for a Winter Capital in Tura by a group called A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) should not be entertained.
Such demands would not be right to consider, she told reporters on Tuesday.
Stating that the government has already created many blocks to bring administration closer to the public, she said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma would meet the group in the Garo Hills on July 24.
“I personally feel that these demands should not be entertained. If you are going to have capitals everywhere, then I think the administration will fail,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh said Meghalaya has a divergent combination of districts and setting up winter or spring capital could go wrong.
“If we consider the demands, it will be difficult for us to administrate. The MLAs or ministers today are going to various parts of the districts to take care of matters locally so that people do not feel left out. But it is not possible to have a summer capital here and a winter capital there,” she said, hoping some sense would prevail after the CM’s visit to the Garo Hills.
As expected, Ampareen’s statement has sparked outrage among protestors and the general public in Tura, who term it an insult to the founding fathers’ vision for a Winter Capital.
Reacting to the statement, the ACHIK on Tuesday said that it was shocking that a prominent politician and a minister has rejected Tura’s long-standing demand for being designated as the Winter Capital. The denial has sparked protests and discontent, with citizens questioning the government’s commitment to equitable regional development, it added.
According to ACHIK, her remarks display a lack of consideration for the region’s growth and development.
It added that the idea of having a Winter Capital is not uncommon in regions with harsh climates where extreme weather conditions can significantly impact governance and daily activities. In such regions, it is often deemed practical to have an alternative administrative center to alleviate the challenges posed by severe winters.
“The Winter Capital demand was not made yesterday. The founding fathers, while envisioning the establishment of administrative capitals, would have aimed to ensure equitable development and inclusivity. By designating a Winter Capital, they might have intended to provide opportunities and resources to regions that experience adverse conditions during the winter months,” it said.
“Denying Tura’s demand could be viewed as neglecting the principles of equal regional development. The concept of a Winter Capital recognizes the unique challenges faced by regions during the winter season. It allows for better governance and targeted policies to address the specific needs of those regions. Denying Tura the Winter Capital status could imply a lack of consideration for the distinct requirements of the area and its inhabitants during the winter months and there many other reasons,” ACHIK said.
The organisation cautioned that this was a wake-up call for the government to shift its focus from a capital-centric approach and embrace policies that promote equal development for all regions, ensuring that no part of the state is left behind. Failure to address these concerns could have significant ramifications for the ruling party, both politically and in terms of public trust, it added.
