Former minister praises MDA 2.0 for improved governance
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 31: Former Cabinet Minister and senior UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh has openly admitted that the NPP-led MDA Government needs to clear the lingering perception of corruption at the earliest, acknowledging that the previous MDA-I tenure was riddled with widespread allegations of corrupt practices.
When asked about the allegations of corruption and instances of illegal coal mining that plagued the MDA Government during its eight-year stint, Lyngdoh conceded that during the rule of MDA-I, there was a strong public perception that sections of the government machinery were actively involved in corrupt activities.
He described clearing this deep-rooted perception as a herculean task, but stressed that the incumbent MDA Government must address it urgently through transparent and sustained efforts.
Making it clear that he was not part of the MDA-I combination, Lyngdoh, however, was full of praise for the incumbent MDA 2.0 government. He highlighted that MDA 2.0 has taken concrete measures to significantly improve the standard of governance in the state.
Terming the decision to declare the entire Khyndai Lad as a pedestrian zone as one of the major achievements of the government in the last eight years, Lyngdoh said that the entire world is now familiar with Shillong and its strong association with music and culture.
He also spotlighted other key accomplishments of the incumbent government, including the GI tag accorded to Meghalaya’s traditional Ryndia (Eri silk), the completion of Captain Williamson Sangma State University, and the proposed recognition of the Living Root Bridge as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admitting that there are shortcomings and legacy issues—the burden of which has been passed from one government to another—Lyngdoh maintained that the current government has made its best efforts to streamline processes and elevate overall governance standards.
