By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 4: Taking a dig at its coalition partner, the ruling NPP, State BJP vice president Bernard Marak lamented that despite lending all the support needed by the NPP in the state, many people at the grassroots are deprived of even the basic schemes.
Trying to bring to light the true picture at the grassroots, Marak said, “From the free rice (scheme), a kilo of it is being cut in every village from every individual. People above 60 years are supposed to get Rs Rs 500 per month, but that money is not being given to them. Specially-abled people should also receive a mere Rs 500 as pension from the Centre, which is not the case”.
“If the old, specially-abled and BPL families are facing challenges in their daily life, then obviously there is something wrong in the system,” he pointed out. Questioning as to why despite the Centre providing all the support, the schemes are not reaching people at the grassroots, Marak said, “It is our duty to ensure that the vision of the Prime Minister to help the poor and deprived materialises. I work for the people of not only Garo Hills but even Khasi Hills. Many people call me trying to understand about the schemes and I am showing them the way”.
Talking about their partnership, the BJP leader said that he cannot hold the MDA government wrong. “I have to show them the way where is it going wrong and this how we are working. People are happy that BJP is trying its best to ensure that they receive what they are entitled to,” he added.
Notwithstanding the alliance with NPP in terms of governance, the State BJP has made it clear that they want an upper hand insofar as fighting the NPP from the Tura Lok Sabha seat is concerned.
“We are our party men and we will go as per the directions of our central leaders. We may be in the coalition, but we also want to help the party to grow,” said Marak, while replying to a query on whether the State BJP will try and dislodge the NPP from the Tura seat.
