Headmen, public oppose Delimitation Committee’s proposals in Khliehriat
Khliehriat, July 11: The Delimitation Committee of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council visited Khliehriat on Thursday and held a public meeting at the Dorbar Hall of Khliehriat to discuss the draft delimitation proposals for the Jaintia Hills District. Hundreds of headmen and locals from different constituencies attended the hearing, expressing strong opposition to the draft, which, they claim, does not reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people in each MDC constituency. Speakers from all nine MDC constituencies of East Jaintia Hills District, including Sutnga Narwan, Sutnga Nongkhlieh, Saipung, Bataw-Lakadong, Tuber, Musniang Rangat, Sumer, and Narpuh, while voicing their concerns, argued that the draft committee, formed by the Independent Delimitation Committee, has redrawn constituency boundaries without adequate knowledge of the distances between villages, effectively dividing communities. During the public hearing, village authorities urged the Delimitation MDC Constituency of JHADC to align the new boundaries with the community’s wishes and expectations. They suggested that the upcoming MDC elections should proceed with the current constituencies and that any rearrangements be postponed until after the 2024 elections. Members of the Delimitation Committee acknowledged the shortcomings of the draft proposal and assured attendees that their complaints would be considered. The committee invited further feedback for revisions to better meet the public’s needs.
DoNER Ministry reviews Jal Shakti Abhiyan implementation in EKH
SHILLONG, July 11: DoNER Ministry Joint Secretary Angshuman Dey on Thursday reviewed the implementation of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-Catch the Rain Programme, at the Office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner. Dey, who serves as the Central Nodal Officer for Jal Shakti Abhiyan in East Khasi Hills, highlighted several areas for improvement, including the involvement of women in the Nari Shakti to Jal Shakti Campaign, confidence building within local communities, mapping the health of springs, and afforestation programmes. Dey also encouraged the district to innovate and activate the Jal Shakti Kendra as an information centre for citizens seeking assistance and information on Jal Shakti Abhiyan implementation. Meanwhile, during the meeting, East Khasi Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner, S Warjri, provided a detailed presentation on the district’s water-related activities across various departments. It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019, targeting 1,592 blocks in 256 water-stressed districts. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expanded the initiative with ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ (JSA-CTR), aiming to cover all blocks in all districts nationwide with the theme ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls When it Falls’. The JSA-CTR implementation began in 2019 but was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, over the past year, East Khasi Hills district has made significant progress, emerging as one of the leading districts in the state. The district has mapped, constructed, and geotagged approximately 3,526 water bodies and structures.
Group seeks dissolution of SMC over ‘corruption’ charges
TURA, July 11: The Anti-Corruption Foundation of India (ACFI) has sought the dissolution of the Rajabala Higher Secondary School Managing Committee (SMC), alleging large-scale corruption and misappropriation of funds taking place within the committee. In its complaint to the Director of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) in Shillong, the association claimed that money amounting to lakhs and crores is being misappropriated by the members as well as bribery taking place against illegal appointments of staff. The organisation went to the extent of claiming that the illegal activities are taking place in connivance with the DSEO concerned. In its complaint, the organisation sought the initiation of a high-level inquiry and that the alleged illegal appointment based on an alleged illegal interview held on July 9 this year be stopped. It also sought the dissolution of the SMC based on the findings of the SMC. The organisation also demanded that a complaint be filed against the SMC leader with the police or the CBI and that the bank accounts of the members be frozen until the matter is sorted out.