By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 2: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a key ally of the NPP-led MDA coalition, has emphasised the need for the state government to rebuild trust and confidence among its people, presenting several recommendations for improved governance in the new year.
“First and foremost, the government must work to gain the trust and confidence of the people. To achieve this, it needs to be more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the populace,” said UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh.
He elaborated that responsiveness should extend to all demographics, including urban poor, farmers, women and children. “With a sizeable youth population, priority should be given to creating job opportunities and improving infrastructure such as roads and connectivity, which are vital for development, particularly in rural areas,” he added.
Mawthoh also urged the government to focus on enhancing quality education, healthcare services, and tourism, power and agriculture sectors.
Highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to propel the state forward, he remarked, “The government cannot keep doing the same things and expect better results. Instead, innovative methods are required. In this rapidly changing era, the government must adopt fresh ideas to benefit the population.”
He stressed that the government should be more people-centric and pro-poor. “A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. We must improve their quality of life and raise their living standards,” Mawthoh stated.
Calling for people-centric development, Mawthoh said, “We need to understand the pulse of the people and ground realities. There is evident dissatisfaction among the public, and the government must identify ways to address their concerns effectively.”
Addressing law and order issues, Mawthoh emphasised the need to tackle problems such as drug abuse and rising crime rates in the state. “These issues must be addressed proactively. We need to create an environment of hope, peace and tranquillity for our youth,” he concluded.