SHILLONG, July 20: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday remained non-committal on the demand for a Winter Capital in Tura.
Reacting to the demand, Sangma said his next visit to Garo Hills he would meet the members of ACHIK who are staging a hunger strike in Tura.
He said the government always keeps all areas and regions in mind while working towards development.
“In Tura we have started the mini Secretariat. It is a big step and we will explain the impact of a mini Secretariat to them. Besides, large investment and administrative reforms will take place and there will be improvement in the delivery of schemes and presence of administration,” he said.
The CM also pointed out that the construction of the Governor’s House in Tura is nearing completion and it would be made functional within this financial year.
He added that all the departments are being strengthened to ensure overall improvement in administration process.
“The ultimate goal is always to ensure that development reaches people and administration gets closer to people,” he said.
Stating that the limitations has to be understood, he added that very strong efforts are made by the government to bring administration closer to the people and it shows the sincerity and commitment of the government to work for every section of the people and every region of the state.
On the demand for implementation of the roster system with a backlog policy for the Garos, Sangma said the government took the decision to implement the roster after sue consultations with all stakeholders and the decision was communicated to every group, including ACHIK.
“The government went ahead with the office memorandum after taking consensus from people. For us to take it back and look into it will be difficult,” he added.
Members of ACHIK have been on an indefinite hunger strike since July 11 demanding immediate implementation of a backlog policy on reservation for Garos as well as the creation of a Winter Capital in Tura as promised by the founding fathers of the state.
