By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: Legislators cutting across party lines on Monday questioned the state government’s failure to provide the required infrastructure in the newly created civil sub-divisions and act on demands to create a few more.
“I have been raising this question since 2018 and I have been getting the same reply – that the matter is under examination. May I know what matters need to be examined so that we can create a civil sub-division in Laskein?” UDP legislator from the Mowkaiaw constituency, Nurjoki Sungoh asked.
He sought to know the status of the proposal to create the Laskein civil sub-division.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong replied that the government is examining the matter as the creation of sub-divisions is related to several departments.
“In 2021, we wrote a letter to all departments to submit details for the consideration of creation. A few submitted but many are yet to submit the detailed report,” he said.
“Once (a comprehensive) report is collected from the departments, it will be sent to a standing committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, which will put it up for final decision,” he added.
Pointing out that the 500 sq. km Laskein is the oldest block inaugurated in 1973, Sungoh said it has a population of 1.25 lakh 1 and more than 15,000 households.
“So, we feel the block has what it requires to be upgraded to a civil sub-division. I raised this with the hope that the government will listen to the cry of the people,” he said.
To another query on the expenditure involved in creating a new sub-division, Tynsong replied: “I don’t have the details of the total cost the creation of a sub-division entails. If a decision is taken, we need to consider the expenditure for the establishment of infrastructure.”
Raising a supplementary question, the National People’s Party MLA from the Dalu constituency, Brening A. Sangma asked why the Dalu civil sub-division created in 2022-23 is yet to get the necessary infrastructure.
“May I know whether any step has been taken to construct the civil sub-division building, approach road, staff quarters, boundary fencing, and court in Dalu?” he asked.
In reply, Tynsong said, “We are aware that several newly created sub-divisions do not have a designated office and staff quarters. Recently, we have decided to provide all the new sub-divisions with a full-fledged office building, staff quarters, and other related basic requirements.”
Mawsynram’s UDP legislator, Ollan Singh Suin also reminded the state government of the need to create a civil sub-division at Mawsynram during the last Assembly session.
Tynsong replied that the same yardstick would be applied in the case of Mawsynram.