Embarrassment for AT Mondal, AL Hek
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 21: The inauguration of the permanent office of the Mawpat Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block was stalled on Monday after agitated residents of Mawpat protested against the state government’s failure to honour a 2017 agreement.
Cabinet Ministers Abu Taher Mondal and Alexander L Hek, who is also the local MLA, faced an embarrassing moment when they were prevented from entering the premises for the inauguration ceremony by a large crowd.
The situation turned tense as the angry locals, particularly the women, stopped and pushed Hek back, refusing to listen to his appeals for a dialogue before deciding the course of action.
The Executive Committee (EC) of the Mawpat Dorbar Shnong and the residents asserted that the inauguration would not be allowed unless the government gave a written assurance to fulfil their long-pending demands.
Expressing disappointment, Hek said it was unfortunate that the residents did not approach him before proceeding to hold the protest. He claimed that one of the key demands, the implementation of minimum wages for local contractual employees, had already been addressed by the government.
However, Mawpat Rangbah Shnong, Judah Wahlang, said that the Dorbar Shnong had repeatedly reminded the government to fulfil the terms of the 2017 agreement for the past two months.
He said it was unacceptable that the Grade IV contractual staff under the Mawpat C&RD office were still being paid Rs 3,000-8,000 per month, well below the revised minimum wages.
“We have already raised this issue with the government, and the BDO is aware of it. Yet, nothing has been done to increase the wages of these employees,” Wahlang said.
He added that none of the government departments has implemented the revised minimum wages.
Wahlang hoped that the protest would inspire others to demand fair pay for contractual workers across the state.
He further criticised the unequal distribution of funds among villages under the Mawpat C&RD Block.
Due to the protest, the inauguration has been postponed until the Dorbar’s demands are addressed.
Mondal proposed a meeting with Dorbar representatives at the Main Secretariat at 3 p.m. to discuss their grievances, but the residents declined, reminding him that a detailed representation had already been submitted.
Wahlang stated that it is now up to the government to issue a written assurance.
He added that once the demands are met, the Dorbar Shnong will treat the future inauguration as a celebration and may even consider shutting down the village in observance of it.
Speaking to reporters later, Mondal said the C&RD Block was established for the welfare of the people and that the government is committed to resolving the issues outlined in the original agreement.
“We will go ahead with the inauguration only after the matter is resolved amicably,” he said, adding that there was no disappointment and no question of inaugurating the permanent office forcibly if people are unhappy.
The Mawpat Dorbar Shnong had donated 3 acres of land to the government to set up the permanent C&RD office.
